Method for grafting rootstock using improved grafting film

摘要

A grafting film is provided which is formed of a film of a polyalkylene polymer having a self-adhesive property and an elastic memory which causes the film when stretched around a scion and rootstock graft union to gradually contract around the graft union and apply an increasing amount of pressure circumferentially around the graft union. The film also has oxygen and CO.sub.2 permeability properties which cause a gas volume isolated by the film adjacent the graft union to have a higher CO.sub.2 concentration and a lower oxygen concentration relative to the ambient environment around the plant. The film preferably has at least 12% oxygen permeability and less than 3% CO.sub. 2 retention. The film is preferably less than about 60 &mgr;m thick and more preferably less than about 50 &mgr;m thick.