Grafting Method - Inarching or Approach Grafting

Inarching or Approach Grafting

Unlike other grafting operations, in inarching the scion is attached to the stock while it is still attached to the parent plant. Round the world, the method has been extensively used in the vegetative propagation of mango. The method involves potting healthy one-year- old seedling in earthen pots, which are usually 12 in deep and 8 in wide at the top. The earth ball along with root system is kept intact and placed in the pot. The unfilled space in the pot is then filled with a mixture of well- rotted manure and canal silt. The soil is firmly pressed around the earth ball and the transplanted seedlings are then watered. Potting of seedlings is usually done one month ahead of actual inarching operations. This allows sufficient time for the seedlings to set before grafting.


Inarching can either be done in the spring months or in the rainy season. July and August are preferred over the spring season because after inarching operations in the spring months the wind storms in the early summer reduce the percentage of success. High wind velocity knocks over the pots and loosens the graft union.

The potted seedling are brought near the parent plants for inarching, hence the name grafting by approach has also been given to this method of grafting. If shoots of desirable size are available at ground level, potted seedlings are put underneath the parent scion trees and inarching operations are completed. However, if shoots are only available at a certain height, the pots are raised and provided support.
Every care must be exercised in the selection of rootstock and scion shoots. The size of the rootstock and of the scion shoot should be the same. A slanting cut of 15-20 cm. A similar cut is made on the scion shoot and the corresponding cuts are then brought together and tied with plastic film. To prevent drying up, the union point is covered with moist sphagnum moss and wrapped with polythene film.
While trying, care is taken to bring the corresponding cambium surface into contact. The union takes place within three to four months. When the graft is still attached to the parent plant, the pot is watered twice a day during the summer months. Removal of the graft from the parent plant is a gradual process. Prior to the final cutting away of the graft from the parent plant, an incision is made on the scion some 5 cm below the graft union. The period between the incision and removal of the graft should be seven to ten days.
Grafting Method

After the graft has been removed, it is placed in the shade of trees. The top of the stock is also gradually removed after they have been stored in the shade for about two weeks. They are kept for about four to six months in the nursery before they are planted.



Popular posts from this blog

Parent Material of Soil

Green Manuring