Effect of rootstock age and type of scion wood on epicotyl grafting in walnut (Juglans regia L.) under Kashmir conditions
Qureshi SN., Javaid K., Wani IA., Muzafar M., Mehraj S., Mushtaq R., Basu YA., Padder BA.
Copyright © EM International. Epicotyl grafting in walnut (Juglans regia L.) under field conditions of Kashmir valley was undertaken at Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir during 2011 and 2012. Three rootstock ages (15, 30, and 45-day-old) using two types of scion wood viz, one year old terminal and basal portions of Wussan Selection were evaluated in completely randomized block design (CRD) having 12 treatment combinations and three replications and plot size of 10 plants. Maximum scion take (66.74%) and scion sprouting (37.05%) was observed in 15-day-old-rootstocks. Lowest scion take (55.05%) and scion sprouting (21.03%) was from 45-day-old-rootstocks. Terminal type of one year old scion wood recorded scion take (63.75%) and scion sprouting (32.02%) which was comparatively higher than basal type of scion wood. Correlation between rootstock age × type of scion wood was statistically significant. Interaction between 15-day-old rootstock x terminal type of scion wood showed higher scion take (67.70%) and scion sprouting (38.95%) in comparison to other treatment combinations, whereas minimum scion take (53.48%) and scion sprouting (20.11%) was observed in 45-day-old rootstocks under basal type of scion wood. Vegetative growth, viz. scion growth (cm), plant height (cm), leaflet size (cm2), number of leaves, and stem diameter (mm) were influenced by both type of scion wood and age of rootstock. The research findings indicate that walnut epicotyl grafting could be economically viable vegetative propagation method under Kashmir valley conditions.