1. Author’s name: Gabriela Alexandra CORUS
University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest
Faculty of Horticulture
International Student Symposium “Hortus Academicus”
March 29, 2019, Bucharest, Romania
PRELIMINARY RESEARCHES ON PROPAGATION BY CUTTINGS OF CALLICARPA BODINIERI
Author’s name: Gabriela Alexandra CORUS
Coordinator Professor: Șef lucr. Dr. Cristina Rodica MĂNESCU
International Student Symposium "Hortus Academicus“ March 29, Bucharest, Romania

2. Figure 1 – Callicarpa bodinieri
Introduction
Callicarpa bodinieri is a medium-sized deciduous shrub recently introduced in our country. The species assigns a particular note in early autumn landscapes through its color of the leaves that turn rosy-pink in autumn, but especially through the glossy, violet-amethyst color of the fruits.
Figure 1 – Callicarpa bodinieri
International Student Symposium "Hortus Academicus“ March 29, Bucharest, Romania

3. The beautyberries, as they are known, persist on the branches until early winter without being consumed by birds or animals. However, the fruits do not have a good germination process, which is why the plant is rarely encountered.
The main objective of the research was to determine the behavior of the species during its multiplication process by hardwood cuttings under conditions in Bucharest.
International Student Symposium "Hortus Academicus“ March 29, Bucharest, Romania

4. Figure 2 – Callicarpa bodinieri placed in UASVMB Botanical Garden
Materials and Methods
The research was carried out between November 2017 and October 2018 in the dendrological didactic nursery of UASVM Bucharest. The vegetative material was acquired from the mother plants which can be found in the UASVMB Botanical Garden.
Figure 2 – Callicarpa bodinieri placed in UASVMB Botanical Garden
International Student Symposium "Hortus Academicus“ March 29, Bucharest, Romania

5. Figure 3 – Recommended lenght of a hardwood cutting
In the autumn, after the fall of the leaves, straight, vigorous, healthy, annual branches were gathered and stratified in a ditch arranged in the nursery until spring. At the beginning of spring, in April, cuttings with a length of cm were made.
Figure 3 – Recommended lenght of a hardwood cutting
International Student Symposium "Hortus Academicus“ March 29, Bucharest, Romania

6. Figure 4 – Planted cuttings in both variants
The cuttings were planted in two variants of substrate, the first one consisting of manure, sand and leaf mold in a ratio of 1:1:1, and the second of fallow ground, sand and leaf mold in a ratio of 2:1:1.
Figure 4 – Planted cuttings in both variants
International Student Symposium "Hortus Academicus“ March 29, Bucharest, Romania

7. Results and discussions
Studies have shown that the species reacted differently to the two variants of the tested substrates. Thus, on variant V1, a rooting percentage of 41.2% was obtained, compared to variant V2 which had a smaller percentage of the rooted cuttings of 12.5% (Table 1). Although initially all cuttings had entered the vegetative phase, some of them were found to be wasted in September in V1, and in July in V2.
Table 1. Percentage of rooted hardwood cuttings of Callicarpa bodinieri
Var.
Substrate type
No. of planted cutting
No. of rooted cuttings
The percentage of rooting (%) V1
Manure: Leaf mold: Sand - 1:1:1 17 7
41.2% V2
Fallow ground: Sand: Leaf mold - 2:1:1 16 2
12.5%
International Student Symposium "Hortus Academicus“ March 29, Bucharest, Romania

8. Figure 5 – Different vegetative phases of the cuttings

9. The rooting substrate also had an influence over the growth of the twigs (Table 2). Thus, the average length at the end of the vegetation period of the twigs in variant V1 was of 44.0 cm and in variant V2 of 29.0 cm. The difference of 34.1% between these values can be explained through the presence of the manure in the V1 substrate, which has brought a better fertility to this substrate. The species is best grown in average, medium, well-drained soils. It adapts to different soil types, but a fertile soil with a good drainage is preferred.
Table 2. Average length of the twigs during the growing season
Var.
Substrate type
The average length of the twigs (cm)
May
Jun.
Jul.
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov. V1
Manure: Leaf mold: Sand - 1:1:1
2.6
5.4
11.6
17.6
27.6
37.3
44.0 V2
Fallow ground: Sand: Leaf mold - 2:1:1
1.9
3.7
6.8
9.8
16.5
23.4
29.0
International Student Symposium "Hortus Academicus“ March 29, Bucharest, Romania

10. Figure 6 – Measurements of length done on twigs
International Student Symposium "Hortus Academicus“ March 29, Bucharest, Romania

11. Regarding the root system formed by cuttings, there are also differences between variants. Cuttings from V1 have more roots and a higher average length (Table 3).
Table 3. Average root length and average number of roots formed through cuttings
Var.
Substrate type
Average length of the roots (cm)
Average no. of roots V1
Manure: Leaf mold: Sand - 1:1:1
8.60
18.57 V2
Fallow ground: Sand: Leaf mold - 2:1:1
5.50
10.50
International Student Symposium "Hortus Academicus“ March 29, Bucharest, Romania

12. Figure 7 – Twigs from variant V1 with developed roots
International Student Symposium "Hortus Academicus“ March 29, Bucharest, Romania

13. Figure 8 – Twigs from variant V2 with developed roots
International Student Symposium "Hortus Academicus“ March 29, Bucharest, Romania

14. Conclusions and recommendations
Callicarpa bodinieri can be multiplied by hardwood cuttings, research proves that a better rooting is achieved using a substrate consisting of manure, leaf mold and sand in a 1:1:1 ratio.
Figure 9 – Beautyberries
International Student Symposium "Hortus Academicus“ March 29, Bucharest, Romania