Investigation into Timing of Cuttings for Maximum Propagation Efficiency of Vitis aestivalis ‘Norton/Cynthiana’ Grapevines

Abstract

Vitis aestivalis ‘Norton/Cynthiana’ is a grape found as far north as southern Ontario, as far east as Maine, as far west as Oklahoma, and as far south as Florida. The goal of this research was to determine the optimal time of year and/or time after last freeze that will yield the highest traditional propagation rate for ‘Norton/Cynthiana’. Previous research determined that the best time of year traditionally to propagate was in June, ten weeks after the last temperature below 0° C or eight or nine weeks after the first bud break. Samples were collected weekly from a local vineyard, treated with 0.1% indole-3-butyric acid, planted in a 1:1 Perlite:Vermiculite mix, and placed in the plant growth room located in the MTSU Biology greenhouse. The conditions of the controlled-environment growth room were light/dark: 12hr/12hr, 70% relative humidity, day/night temperature: 22º C/15 º C. Daily high and low temperatures in Murfreesboro were recorded. After six weeks, cuttings were evaluated for root growth. Rooting success rates were highest in the month of June at 10%, 12 weeks after the last frost and 10 weeks after bud break.