Abstract
The aim of the trial was to determine the optimal propagation methods for three Japanese quince cultivars. Rooting trials with cultivars ‘Darius’, ‘Rasa’, and ‘Rondo’ were conducted in 2017–2019 in a greenhouse, to investigate the rooting and shoot quality of softwood cuttings, using different treatments. At the beginning of fruit production, growth and amount of the first yield was evaluated depending on propagation method. Softwood cuttings of Japanese quince rooted well (average 82–93%) in a greenhouse with heated substrate and partly automated temperature and moisture control, in spite of different weather conditions during three vegetation periods. The best results for rooting were found for cultivar ‘Rondo’. On average, better results of rooting for all cultivars were obtained when cuttings were soaked in indolylbutiric acid solution and trichodermin was added to the substrate. Significant differences in length and diameter of the bush shoots found between years for both propagation methods and also between years for one type of propagation. On average, microproagated plants had the highest shoot length. After evaluating the first yield, no significant differences were found between cultivars during the first two trial years, but micro-propagated plants had significantly higher yield per bush.