The UTC Graduate School is pleased to announce that Hannah Nelms will present Master’s research titled, Propagation of Wild-Collected Prunus americana Marsh. by Rooted Cuttings for Germplasm Conservation in the Southern Appalachians on 03/07/2023 at 2:00 pm in Holt 229. Everyone is invited to attend.
Environmental Science
Chair: Dr. Hill Craddock
Co-Chair:
Abstract:
American plum, Prunus americana Marsh., is a native tree valued for wildlife and wildland restoration. I tested the seasonal rooting potential of wild-collected P. americana to develop a rooted stem cutting method for germplasm conservation in East Tennessee. Cuttings were collected from trees in eight locations in May, July, and September and treated with 1000-ppm, 3000-ppm, or 8000-ppm indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) for 5 seconds before sticking in a mist propagation bed with basal heat for four to six weeks. Season and location had a significant effect on rooting success, and rooting increased with IBA concentration. Cuttings treated with 8000-ppm IBA rooted 49.0% in May, 63.9% in July, and 16.1% in September after four weeks. Rooted cuttings collected in May produced more roots, longer shoots, and had greater transplant success than July or September. The results of this study show that rooted cuttings are a viable method for the propagation of wild-collected plum.