ROOTING ENVIRONMENTS IN Sequoia sempervirens MINI-CUTTINGS OF CLONE A228

ABSTRACT Sequoia sempervirens is different from other species not only for its excellent vigor and longevity, but also for quality wood productivity. The objective of this work was to evaluate the rooting of Sequoia sempervirens mini-cuttings in different cultivation environments. In both experiments, rooting was evaluated in time to determine the root development in each environment. Mini-cuttings from clone A228 from clonal mini-garden were used. In the first experiment the material was placed to take root in three different environments: greenhouse (GH), shadehouse (SH) and mini-tunnel, with evaluation performed every 30 days (from 30 to 150 days). In the second experiment, we compared the development and rooting in mini-tunnel, greenhouse with intermittent mist (GWIM), with weekly evaluations (from 30 to 93 days). Both experiments were installed in a completely randomized design, with subsequent evaluation of the survival percentage, percentage of rooted cuttings and number of roots emitted by rooted cuttings. Humidity and temperature data were also collected in all environments observed. The mini-tunnel was the most efficient place for sequoia mini-cutting, presenting higher survival, rooting and number of roots when compared to the shadehouse and the greenhouse. In addition, it provided rooting similar to the greenhouse with intermittent mist (close to 90%). It is recommended to keep mini-cuttings in a mini-tunnel or greenhouse with intermittent mist for a period of 90 days for proper rooting to occur. Good temperature control was also observed in this structure, as well as excellent humidity control. The mini-tunnel can be used for sequoia propagation by mini-cuttings as it has shown good rooting results (> 80%).