The effect of propagation method on performance of cut rose ‘Con Amore’ under conditions of commercial production

• Roses grafted on PRO5 rootstock are better nourished than those grown from cuttings. • Their cut stems are heavier than these grown on their own roots. • The method of propagation accelerates a rose flowering date but does not affect flower yield. • During flower blooming starch is accumulating in stems. • Anatomical changes in rose petals are related to a flower developmental stage. • Vase life of cut roses depends on a harvest date and not on a propagation method. Roses ( Rosa L.) are the most popular cut flowers in the world. The aim of the experiments was to determine the effect of the method of bush propagation on flower yield and senescence by analyzing anatomical and biochemical changes in roots, stems and petals of the ‘Con Amore’ rose. Plants were grown on their own roots or on the PRO5 rootstock. Summer cultivation was on rockwool, and the bushes were formed using the bending method. Based on the results, the flower yield did not depend on the propagation method, although bushes growing on their own roots started flowering earlier than those on the PRO5 rootstock. The method of propagation did not affect shoot length, however, cut shoots grown on PRO5 were heavier, especially in May, approximately 30 % than shoots cut from bushes grown on the own roots. Neither the propagation method affects the vase life, which was mainly related to the harvest date, longer in May than in July. Compared to plants growing on their own roots, those on PRO5 were better nourished: they had higher sugar contents (total sugars, reducing sugars and starch) in roots respectively, by 28, 24 and 34 % and flowers (total sugars by 29 and reducing sugars by 19 %), higher by 31 % soluble protein level in flowers and a higher by 27 % chlorophyll content in the leaves. Nor it significantly affected anatomical changes in shoots and petals. The latter were associated with the flower opening process. As the flower development progressed the intense growth of the mesophyll cells and petal epidermis was observed, as well as changes in their shape. During flower bloom, accumulation of starch in the stems was observed, regardless of how the bushes were grown. It appears that the PRO5 rootstock for rose ‘Con Amore’ improved the physiological and biochemical quality of flowering shoots and can be recommended to use under conditions in commercial production.