Eficácia de produtos indutores de enraizamento no desenvolvimento de estacas herbáceas de lúpulo

Abstract

Vegetative propagation of hops (Humulus lupulus L.) cuttings is the predominant technique for the production of commercial seedlings, ensuring the genetic uniformity necessary for the brewing industry. However, rooting success is highly dependent on hormonal and environmental factors, often showing variable success rates among cultivars. This study evaluates the efficacy of synthetic rooting inducers, specifically Indole butyric Acid (IBA) and Naphthaleneacetic Acid (NAA), alone or in synergistic association with the plant growth-promoting bacterium Azospirillum brasilense. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design (CRD) with herbaceous cuttings of the 'Comet' cultivar. The theoretical basis supports the idea that exogenous auxins accelerate tissue differentiation into root primordia, while bacterial inoculation can potentiate this effect through the endogenous synthesis of phytohormones and improvement of the physiological robustness of the seedling. Survival parameters, root and shoot length, number of shoots, and root and shoot dry mass were measured. The analysis indicates that the use of IBA in appropriate concentrations associated with Azospirillum represents a promising frontier for optimizing hop nurseries in subtropical regions, aiming to strengthen the production chain.