Adventitious Root Formation in Cuttings: Insights from Arabidopsis and Prospects for Woody Plants

Cutting propagation is a commonly employed technology for vegetative reproduction in agricultural, forestry, and horticultural practice. The success of cutting propagation depends on adventitious root (AR) formation-a process whereby roots regenerate from stem cuttings or leaf cuttings. In this review, we summarize the distinct stages of cutting-induced AR formation and highlight the pivotal roles of plant hormones and age in this process. Jasmonic acid (JA) acts as a master trigger for promoting AR formation, while auxin serves as the core regulator, driving AR formation. Furthermore, plant age is a crucial factor determining the regenerative competence of cuttings. Notably, age and JA collaboratively modulate auxin synthesis in cutting-induced AR formation. Overall, this review not only elucidates the molecular mechanisms underlying AR formation but also provides valuable insights for improving efficiency of cutting propagation in various plant species.