Effects of Plant Growth Regulators on Cut-leaf Propagation of Four Varieties of Crassulaceae

Propagating Crassulaceae by using cut leaves from the plants with treatment of growth regulators was studied. Applying the subordinate function method, the effects of two types of hormones on 4 varieties of Crassulaceae were evaluated. The results showed the application of 200 mg·L^-1 NAA on Echeveria elegans var. Kesselringiana, xSedeveria (Blue Elf) and Echeveria cuspidata var. zaragozae Kimnach yielded the desirable effect with subordinate function value of 0.95, 0.90 and 0.90, respectively; while, that of 100 mg·L^-1 IBA on Echeveria (Lola) with a subordinate function value of 0.84. The growth indices of the leaf-cuttings were significantly different between varieties (P < 0.05). The 91.54% rooting and 99.01% survival rates of Blue Elf and the 97.33% germination rate of E. cuspidata were the highest among all varieties studied. The seedling survival rates of the 4 varieties were all greater than 90%, which were 6.26%-22.99% higher than control. It indicated that either NAA or IBA could be used effectively and economically to promote the Crassulaceae propagation from cut-leaves.