Root Formation in Pea Cuttings

The importance of the active shoot meristems for root formation in cuttings has been investigated through disbudding, decapitation or both disbudding and decapitation of pea cuttings at different time intervals after the removal of the cutting. Decapitation and disbudding within the first 4 days after cutting drastically reduce both the number of rooted cuttings and the number of roots per cutting. Treatment 5 to 6 days after cutting has little or no effect on the root formation or the number of roots per cutting. Redaction in rooting is explained by the removal of the production center(s) for the growth promoters which are necessary for root formation. It is deduced from the results obtained that the initiation phase in pea cuttings is about four days. The author is much indebted to the Department of Plant Physiology of the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Copenhagen, for permission to use its growth chambers during the present investigations.