Two different methods for rooting blackberry cuttings: comparison of aeroponic and perlite media

This study examines the effects of different IBA concentrations and rooting media on the rooting characteristics of green cuttings from the Jumbo blackberry variety. The cuttings were treated with 0 (control), 500, 1000, and 1500 ppm IBA, then planted in Aeroponic and Perlite rooting systems to compare their performance. Parameters such as rooting rate, root length, development of rootlets, seedling yield, the number of branches per cutting, and disease occurrence were evaluated. In the Perlite medium, the application of 1500 ppm resulted in the most extended root length (7.33 cm), while the highest root number (13.26) was observed at the 500 ppm dose. In the Aeroponic medium, the 1000 ppm application achieved the highest values for root length (10.24 cm) and root number (15.47). However, while the decay rate remained at 0.00% in the Perlite medium, it varied between 16.67% and 20.00% in the Aeroponic medium. The highest rooting rate in the Perlite medium was observed at 500 ppm with 93.33%, whereas in the Aeroponic medium, the rooting rate ranged from 50.00% in the control group to a maximum of 70.00% in the 1500 ppm group. The seedling yield reached 93.33% at 500 ppm in the Perlite medium and peaked at 63.33% in the Aeroponic medium. In conclusion, the Perlite medium provided healthier root development due to its low decay rate, higher callus formation, and higher rooting rates. In contrast, the Aeroponic medium posed a risk of decay even at higher IBA concentrations.