LAUSR

To investigate the effect of rooting medium, cutting type and auxin (indole butyric acid (IBA)) on rooting of pepino cuttings (Solanum muricatum Aiton), two separate experiments were carried out in a factorial based on completely randomized design. In the first experiment, the effects of two types of cuttings (middle and distal) and eleven rooting media, and in the second experiment, the effects of three levels of IBA (0, 500 and 1000 mg L) and seven rooting media (selected based on the results of the first experiment) on the rooting rate of cuttings and some growth characteristics including root length, the longest root length, stem length, fresh and dry weights of root and plant were evaluated. The results of the first experiment showed that the distal cuttings showed better rooting than the middle ones. The highest number of roots (40.5) was found in peat moss + perlite rooting medium. The highest averages of root length and length of the longest root were related to the distal cuttings planted in water and then in peat moss + perlite medium. The greatest root fresh weight was recorded in cuttings planted in peat moss + perlite medium, and the highest root dry weight and plant fresh and dry weights were obtained in distal cuttings planted in peat moss + sand medium. The results of the second experiment also showed that the highest (66) and lowest (26.76) numbers of roots were due to peat moss + perlite and water media, respectively. The greatest root length and length of the longest root was observed in the treatment of 0 mg L IBA in water medium which was higher than in other treatments Moreover, the highest root fresh and dry weights were related to a treatment of 500 mg L IBA in peat moss + sand medium. In general, the most suitable combination for pepino cultivation is the use of distal cuttings treated with a concentration of 500 mg L IBA and planting in the rooting medium of peat moss + perlite, followed by peat moss + sand medium.