Standardization of grafting technique in litchi

Abstract

The present experiment was conducted at the Research Centre, Ranchi of the ICAR Research Complex for Eastern Region, during the period from June, 2015 to December, 2016 to investigate the effect of girdling and defoliation of scion shoot on the success and growth of grafts in litchi cv. Shahi. The branches were girdled (removing of 3 mm ring from branches of 40-50 mm girth) one month before the collection of scion sticks for grafting. Defoliation was performed 7 days before the collection of scionsticks. Wedge grafting was performed under shadenet with temperature ranging from 26-32°C and RH 70-80%. The graft take success and vegetative growth were markedly improved as a result of girdling and defoliation. Among the different treatments, the minimum time required for bud sprout (15.40 days), highest scion height (24.25 cm), scion girth (7.14 mm), number of sprouts per graft (2.64), sprout length (4.80 cm), number of compound leaves (8.34), rachis length (9.33 cm), leaflet length (9.37 cm), leaflet width (3.37 cm) and graft success (56.43%) were observed in girdling + defoliation treatment. Scion which had higher girth after grafting was positively correlated with the number of compound leaves, leaflet length and leaflet width. The highest graft success rate (70.83%) was recorded during July. Hence, it was concluded that girdling of branches on scion varieties, one month prior to collection of scionstick and defoliation atleast 7 days before the collection, can enhance the success rate of grafting and plant growth of grafts in litchi.