Secondary metabolite changes in Maymars juniper cuttings (Juniperus sabina) under different treatments of propagation (IBA, substrate and harvest time of cutting)

The endemic Juniper of Maymars (Juniperus sabina) is one of the
most valuable plants in forested areas. The objectives of this experiment were:
I) to determine the best conditions for stem cutting propagation of this species,
and II) to examine changes in some of the secondary metabolites during the
four months (the first of each season): January, April, July, and October, after
rooting of cuttings. The research was done with the treatment of five levels of
Indole Butyric Acid, including: 0, 1000, 2000, 4000, and 8000 ppm in four rooting
substrates, including perlite, perlitecocopeat
(1:1), pumice, and a mixed
rooting substrate (sand, perlite, cocopeat, vermicompost, and potash;
1:1:1:1:1) in the four seasons of the year, with stem cuttings having an average
length of 15 cm. The best treatment with more than 50% rooting was seen in
April at levels of 4000 and 1000 ppm, and the best substrate was perlite cocopeat.
Using lower levels of IBA led to a reduction in total phenol content in the
cuttings during the rooting period. The flavonoid content of the cuttings varied
across different seasons. Based on these results, we recommend this way of
propagation for Juniperus sabina production. This propagation method takes
less time in comparison with sexual propagation from seed.