PROPAGATION OF HAZELNUT STEM CUTTINGS USING AGROBACTERIUM-RHIZOGENES

Hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) softwood cuttings of the cultivars Ennis and Casina were propagated under mist during June and July 1987 and 1988. Rooting of stem cuttings was stimulated by both Agrobacterium and IBA treatment; however, IBA caused nearly complete bud abscission. Better rooting and bud retention were observed in 'Casina' than in 'Ennis' in 1988. Bud retention on Agrobacterium-inoculated cuttings improved as the cuttings approached the semi-hardwood stage. Six months after transplanting, Agrobacterium-inoculated hazelnut cuttings had an extensive root system, characteristic of hairy root. Although the mechanism remains unclear, strains of Agrobacterium rhizogenes are effective rooting agents in hazelnut and may cause less bud abscission than IBA. Chemical name used: 1H-indole-3-butyric acid (IBA).