Grafting

Grafting


A grafted plant is composed of two parts. The basal part which provides the roots system for anchorage and absorption of moisture and nutrients is called the rootstock.  The scion provides top and fruits bearing surface and synthesize food which is transported to other parts of the plant. Scion and root stock should be compatible and closely related belonging to the same genus.
Grafting is a process by which a piece of scion is attached to a rootstock in such a way that the cambium of both scion and rootstock come in firm contact so that the new secondary tissue resulting from cambial cell division in the scion and rootstock is closely knitted. The stock usually influences the size and vigour of the tree and the scion the yield and quality of fruit it will bear. Grafting allows utilization of varying climatic, soil and biotic conditions with advantage. When a single bud is used as scion and inserted into the rootstock the method is called budding, whereas when a piece of stem  or branch carrying one or more than one bud is used the process known as grafting. Several important methods of grafting used to vegetative propagation of fruits and ornamental trees.

Grafting is a horticultural technique

The first step in the budding and grafting operation is to raise seedlings of compatible rootstock species or to produce clonal rootstocks to avoid variation otherwise encountered in seedling populations. If seedlings are used only strong and healthy ones should be selected to be used at rootstock.

The selection and care of scion wood is of the most importance. It must be collected from selected progeny trees which are true-to-type and have desirable fruits and yield characteristics. Twigs that have shown growth during the previous season usually furnish the best scion wood. The buds should be well developed, plump, mature, and in dormant condition. If the bud wood is not utilized immediately, it can be stored for a limited time. The sticks of bud wood are tied in small lots and properly labelled for identification. Both the ends are sealed in melted wax to prevent excessive evaporation. The bundles are then put in sphagnum moss, wrapped in polythene bags, packed in a suitable box, and stored in a cool place.

Grafting is a horticultural technique

Only the most compatible scion and rootstock combinations should be used in grafting and budding. Incompatible combinations result in poor bud take, weak graft or bud union, overgrowth of stock as compared to scion or vice versa, low disease resistant, excessive leaf drop, early decline, low yields of poor quality fruit, and short life span.


Grafting is a horticultural technique

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