Stionic interaction on leaf parameters and survival of grafted pear saplings

Abstract

The present study was conducted to find the effect of different rootstock-scion combinations on multiplication of Pear (Pyrus communis) saplings. There were four scion cultivars and five rootstocks, constituting twenty treatment combinations. Data revealed that maximum leaf length and width were recorded in cv. Chinese Sandy Pear grafted on BA-29 and Pear sucker rootstocks. However, the minimum leaf length and width were recorded in cv. Carmen grafted on Quince and cv. Abate Fetel on BA-29 rootstocks. The highest leaf area (23.46 cm2) was recorded in cv. Chinese Sandy Pear on BA-29, while it was minimum (14.19 cm2) in cv. Abate Fetel on BA-29. Leaf chlorophyll content was highest (3.71 mg/g) in Chinese Sandy Pear grafted on Quince. Length (27.11 μm) and width (9.96 μm) of stomata were recorded maximum in cv. Abate Fetel grafted on Kainth and cv. William Bartlett grafted on Quince, respectively. In contrast, the stomatal density was maximum (20.63/μm2) in cv. Carmen grafted on Quince. Grafted saplings of cv. Abate Fetel on Quince , cv. Chinese Sandy Pear on BA 29 and cv. William Bartlett on Quince C rootstocks recorded 86.67 per cent survival compared to other grafts. More number of saleable plants was recorded when cv. William Bartlett was grafted on Quince (86.33%). The investigations concluded that pear varieties raised on Quince rootstock had higher values for all studied parameters, followed by Quince C rootstock.