Development of Epicotyl Grafting in Pongamia pinnata for quality Planting Stock Production

摘要

Epicotyl grafting technique was commonly adopted technique in fruit trees having large and stone type seeds. It is very rarely practiced in forest trees. Through this experiment, success of epicotyl grafting in P. pinnata was achieved first time. Further this study describes effect of different age of rootstock with viz., 10, 15 and 20 days old and season of grafting on success of epicotyl grafting. At end of 120 days after grafting, maximum success (54.63%), survival (50.25%), total height of grafts(30.68 cm), no. of leaves per graft (9.21), average leaf length (6.92 cm) and average leaf width (5.11 cm) were obtained in 15 days old rootstock grafted with suitable size of scion. The 15 days old rootstock gave significantly highest survival percentage of grafts than other treatments. Similarly, 20 days old rootstock also performed better only in few growth parameters which were statically on par with 15 days old root stock. Though, overall selection of 15 days old rootstock for epicotyl grafting which produced early grafts in quick way and in order reduces time and wastage of nursery resources. Among different months, maximum success of grafts were obtained at August (53.90%), September (51.75%) and October (50.98%). Hence, it is considered as a most suitable period for the propagation of P. pinnata through epicotyl grafting. It might be due to prevalence of optimum temperature and relative humidity of South India region which favours higher rate success in epicotyl grafting. Therefore, epicotylgrafting is a simple and rapid technique for vegetative propagation with less time and cost involvement. This could be helpful to various take holders those who looking for superior planting stock of Pongamia pinnata.