Root development on cuttings of seven arctic shrub species for revegetation

Vegetation removal during resource extraction in the Arctic causes long-lasting impacts requiring revegetation to accelerate plant reestablishment. This study focused on root development on shrub cuttings from seven common species at Diavik Diamond Mine, Northwest Territories. Two experiments were conducted; the first had six soaking times (zero, one, three, five, ten, twenty days), four indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) concentrations (0, 0.1, 0.4, 0.8 percent), and three seasons (summer, fall, spring). The second had a control, three IBA concentrations (0.1, 0.4, 0.8 percent) or alternative chemical compounds, either three Salix water or three smoke water extracts, in two seasons (summer, fall). After sixty days, all species developed at least primary and secondary roots in at least one season in one experiment, including one previously undocumented species, Kalmia procumbens. Rooting characteristics were highly variable, with maximum percentage of rooted cuttings from 3 to 55 percent and maximum number of roots per cutting from 1 to 117 across species, seasons, and experiments. Though rooting percentages were low, species-specific interactions between season and Salix water extract and smoke water extract were observed. Assessing multiple species highlights the potential of vegetative propagation to revegetate northern disturbed sites with common species that lack reliable seed sources.