The effects of a fogging system on the physiological status and rooting capacity of leafy cuttings of woody species

The early responses of leafy stem cuttings of Prunus and Castanea species with differing rooting abilities were assessed in a fog system using fluorescence measurements. Different types of cuttings of each species were used: cherry Prunus ('GiSelA 5', Prunus cerasus 'Prunus canescens-148/2) and chestnut Castanea ('Marsol' and 'Maraval', Castanea crenata 'Castanea sativa). The physiological status of cuttings in the early initiation phase was compared to the rooting results. For all cuttings, fluorescence measurements revealed a close-to-optimum photochemical efficiency, indicating that physiological stress (severance, water, etc.) was minimal. In cherry, the potential photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm) differed slightly between terminal and basal cherry cuttings, being lower in the basal ones at the time of severance. Later in the propagation process, the differences were smaller. The photochemical efficiency did not differ between two 'difficult-to-root' Castanea clones, nor was it dependent on the length of the cuttings. The high rooting capacity of long Castanea cuttings (50 cm) indicated that physiological stress could be minimized under a fogging system.