Abstract

Three natural plant extracts (Aloe vera, garlic and licorice), indole butyric acid (IBA) and three rooting media (soil, peatmoss, and soil + peatmoss 1:1 v/v) were used to study their effects on rooting of hardwood stem cuttings of grape (Vitis vinifera L.) cv. Thompson Seedless. The research was undertaken during January 15th – May 10th 2021, at Ankawa Ornamental Nursery, General Directorate of Agriculture – Erbil, Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources, Kurdistan Region- Iraq. The results revealed that, plant extracts were near to IBA in promoting rooting attributes, since garlic treatment significantly improved fresh and dry root weight, rooting percentage and root index. While, licorice enhanced root shoot ratio other than IBA. Moreover, rooting media (peatmoss and soil+ peatmoss) enhanced average number of roots, root dimeter fresh and dry root weight, rooting percentage and root index. While the effect of the interaction between the pretreatments and the rooting media differed on the rooting of cuttings and the growth of plants, garlic with soil+ peatmoss, and Aloe vera with each peat moss and soil+ peatmoss have recorded the highest values. Lastly, it could be concluded that using plant extracts as IBA alternatives for a clean environment with suitable rooting media have an effective impact in rooting of grape cuttings.