EFFECT OF BRANCH MATURITY ON THE EFFICIENCY OF VEGETATIVE PROPAGATION OF ORA-PRO-NÓBIS

The ora-pro-nóbis is an unconventional food plant, widely recognized for its high protein content, which makes it a highly relevant alternative for food security and the fight against hunger. It is predominantly propagated by cuttings. In this context, the aim of this study was to assess the efficiency of vegetative propagation of ora-pro-nóbis, taking into account the size and physiological maturity of the branches used. The experiment was carried out in the municipality of Santo Cristo-RS, in a completely causal design, with 6 treatments and 4 replications, totaling 24 experimental units, each containing 3 cuttings. The treatments consisted of (T1) a 5 cm basal cut, (T2) a 5 cm central cut, (T3) a 5 cm apical cut, (T4) a 10 cm basal cut, (T5) a 10cm central cut and (T6) a 10 cm apical cut each. The variables evaluated included rooting percentage, number of roots, length of the largest root, root volume, weighted root diameter, root area, green mass and dry mass of the roots, as well as sprouting percentage, number of sprouts, number of leaves per sprout, green mass and dry mass of the sprouts with leaves. The evaluation took place 60 days after planting. The results showed differences between the treatments for all the variables analyzed. The treatments with 10 cm basal and central cuttings stood out from the other treatments with 5 cm cuttings. Treatment 4 appears to be the best option for implementing a production system for this plant, as it shows the best results in terms of characteristics such as the number of leaves and the production of green and dry mass of the shoot, as well as the number of roots and the dry mass of the roots.