The purpose of this study was to evaluate the time required for the rooting and acclimatization of micropropagated Marubakaido rootstocks and the best time for their transfer to greenhouse conditions. Root induction was conducted ex vitro by immerging 0.5 to 1.0 cm of the rootstock bases in an IBA (indolebutyric acid) solution at 1.000 ppm for 10 seconds. The treatments utilized were for 0, 10, 15 , 20 or 30 days in the acclimatization room, with further transfer to the fog chamber, where they remained until completing a total of 30 days in the two environments. The substrates utilized were combinations of ultisoil and worm compost (TRE:V) and ultisoil and carbonized rice husks (TRE: CAC), in the proportion of 1:1 (v:v). After 30 days the survival and growth of the plants were evaluated, and they were then transferred to the green house. After 60 days in this condition, the number of leaves and the height of the aerial portion were evaluated, at 90 days the same parameters as at 30 days were evaluated. At 30 days the survival rate in the TRE:V substrate was 78% and in the TRE:CAC substrate 99%. This rate decreased to 64% in the TR:V substrate and 83% in the TRE CAC: substrate at 60 days and remained stable until 90 days. The root number, presented the best result in the TRE:CAC 20 days in the acclimatization room and 10 days in spray. For the TRE:CAC substrate the best treatment was maintenance of the plants 10 days in the acclimatization room and 20 days in the fog.
Malus prunifolia; micropropagation; ex vitro rooting; IBA
