Root Formation and Propagation of Ornamentals
A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Development and Morphogenesis".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2026 | Viewed by 26
Special Issue Editor
Interests: roots; propagation; ornamentals; sustainable nursery; growing media; nutrient management; yields; quality; biostimulants
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
In the nursery production of ornamental crops, several propagation techniques are used to produce high yields and product quality. Root formation remains a critical and often limiting step in the gamic and agamic propagation of many ornamental species. Propagation methods frequently yield inconsistent results due to a complex interplay of genetic, physiological, and environmental factors. This variability can significantly impact the commercial viability and scalability of ornamental plant production, making the optimization of rooting protocols a persistent challenge in horticultural science. Traditional approaches in cutting propagation, including the application of synthetic auxins and controlled environments, have long served as foundational tools. However, recent research highlights the growing importance of integrating innovative sustainable strategies to enhance root formation. The use of natural biostimulants, microbial consortia, and bio-based rooting agents is gaining momentum, offering promising alternatives to conventional phytochemicals by improving plant resilience and stimulating root development pathways. Advances in growing media formulation—such as the incorporation of alternative by-products—also play a pivotal role in promoting more sustainable and better root quality. The integration of molecular tools, such as the transcriptomic analyses of rooting-related genes, could significantly enhance the predictability and efficiency of rooting responses.
This Special Issue aims to consolidate recent advances and stimulate dialogue among researchers working across the sectors of plant physiology, molecular biology, agronomy, and applied biotechnology. By exploring these foundational mechanisms and innovative applications, this research aims to promote more efficient, sustainable, and reproducible protocols for the propagation of ornamental plants.
Dr. Giuseppe Cristiano
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- seeds
- cuttings
- in vitro propagation
- ornamentals
- biostimulants
- genetic mechanisms
- natural extract
- physiological mechanisms
- substrates
- sustainability
- rooting promoters
- root quality
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