Abstract
Several priming methods were applied to cassava cuttings, a vegetatively propagated crop, and their effects were investigated for the improvement of cutting establishment and initial growth as the objective. Regardless type of solute, soaking the cuttings in solutions occurred the water absorption and the increase of their moisture contents. Although no effect on survival rate and uniformity of germination was observed in all experiments, MGT and t50, which are indicators of germination rate were shortened by nutrient and hydropriming for more than 12 hours soaking. In addition, a negative correlation between MGT and total dry weight was observed. As the results above, it is considered that early germination and establishment of the cuttings by hydropriming and nutrient priming led to promote initial growth of cassava cuttings. On the other hands, the effect on hormonal priming with 4-CPA was observed only under wet soil condition, and negative effects on dry matter production and germination in osmo priming with PEG 6000 treated even with mild stress conditions of −0.07 MPa. Although further research is needed into the conditions to maximize the effects of nutrient and hydropriming, it is expected that the establishment and initial growth of cassava cuttings are improved by nutrient and hydropriming which do not require complicated process or large amount of materials.
