Vegetative propagation of native species potentially useful in the restoration of Mexico City’s vegetation

Resumen

Hardwood and softwood cuttings of Buddleia cordata HBK, Dodonaea viscosa Jacq and Senecio praecox D.C. were tested for their ability to form adventitious roots. Cuttings were prepared in two different seasons (wet and dry) and treated with different concentrations of auxins (IBA and NAA) and different microclimatic conditions. Hardwood and softwood cuttings of B. cordata rooted during the dry and wet season, whilst hardwood and softwood cuttings of D. viscosa rooted only in the wet season, cuttings of S. praecox rooted only in wet season with a higher rooting for hardwood than softwood cuttings. Low hormone concentrations (10 – 100 ppm) favored the rooting percentage more than high concentrations. However, high hormone concentrations favored number, and length of roots and number of developed shoots. Natural regeneration of these species is limited and the species are difficult to propagate from seeds. Vegetative propagation of the species is recommended as the source of clonal planting stock to reforest some areas of Mexico City.