INFLUENCE OF CO2 ENRICHMENT ON ROOTING OF THREE AUSTRALIAN ORNAMENTAL PLANTS

Abstract:

Cuttings of Chamelaucium umcinatum and Correa reflexa in the plastic chamber enriched with CO₂ both day and night at an average level of 800μl L-1 showed a significant increase of dry weight and starch content.In comparison with control,the short time of recovering of starch content to initial level and a progressive rise of starch content in high CO₂ treated cuttings resulted in the earlier rooting, higher rooting percentage and more roots. After cutting for 40 days,the rooting rates of the CO₂ enriched cuttings of Chamelaucium uncinatum and Correa reflexa were respectively 26.6% and 33.4% higher than that of the controls.However,the effect of CO₂ enrichment on cuttings of Prostanthera was inconspicuous,probably because these cuttings were insensitive to CO₂ treatment.