Effects of artificial sand burial on growth of Populus simonii, P. alba and Salix matsudana cuttings

Abstract

Effects of artificial sand burial on growth of Populus simonii, P.alba and Salix matsudana cuttings planted and buried at 0 %, 50 %, and 100 % of plant heights with sand were investigated in a dune of Arid Land Research Center, Tottori University. The 100 % sand burial significantly increased height growth and adventitious root formation on buried stems of P. simonii, cuttings of all species. Ethylene production from stem segments of buried cuttings was greatly enhanced at 7 days after the initiation of sand burial. These results suggest that sand burial stimulates ethylene production causing adventitious root formation which may be related to enhanced plant development of sand buried cuttings.