Date of Graduation

Fall 2025

Degree

Master of Science in Plant Science

Department

School of Agricultural Science & Conservation

Committee Chair

William McClain

Abstract

American elderberry (Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis) is a fruit-bearing shrub native to North America, traditionally utilized for medicinal and culinary purposes. In recent years, its popularity has surged due to emerging research supporting its immune-boosting properties. Despite its growing demand, standardized best management practices for elderberry cultivation, particularly propagation techniques, remain lacking. This study aims to clarify propagation recommendations by examining the influence cutting size and stem diameter on rooting success. A field study was conducted from February to May 2024, in which one-node and two-node dormant hardwood elderberry cuttings of varying stem diameters were planted in small pots in the ground to simulate a simplified field propagation method. A greenhouse study was conducted from December 2024 to March 2025, using the same parameters to determine the ability of one and two-node dormant hardwood elderberry cuttings to propagate under controlled conditions. Following the growing period, root development was analyzed based on dry weight and assessed using WinRHIZO software to compare root length, diameter, and total root area between cutting types and diameter classes. Minitab statistical software was used to perform two-factor independent samples t-tests based on parameters. The field study yielded results that suggest no significant difference between the rooting ability of one-node and two-node dormant hardwood elderberry cuttings under field conditions. The greenhouse study inconclusive due to unforeseen complications that impacted propagule survivability. The findings from this study provide practical evidence that American elderberry can be efficiently propagated using single-node cuttings, which offers producers an opportunity to maximize the number of cuttings taken from each stock plant, increasing propagation efficiency and plant availability.

Keywords

American elderberry, Sambucus canadensis, propagation, best management practices, field propagation, greenhouse propagation, woody plant, fruit crop

Subject Categories

Botany | Fruit Science | Horticulture | Other Plant Sciences

Copyright

© Hannah Berendzen

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Open Access

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