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.
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.