Effect of rootstocks and grafting time on graft success and growth of peach cv. Shan-i-Punjab in sub tropics of India

Abstract

The present investigation was carried with the aim to study the effect of time of grafting and rootstock on graft success and growth in low chill peach cv. Shan- e-Punjab under sub tropics of Haryana (India). Study comprising of three different rootstocks viz., Peach cv. Sharbati seedling and Japanese Plum cv. Kala Amritsari and European plum cv. Green Gage rooted cuttings grafted on 9th and 25th January with three replications. Results reveal that advanced grafting (9th January) had significantly higher graft success (64.75%) and sprouting (69.02%) over 25th January, whereas, all growth parameters viz., plant height, percent increase in scion diameter, fresh and dry weight of shoot and root, relative water content, leaf nitrogen and total chlorophyll contents were significantly superior when wedge grafting was done on 25th January. On the other hand, among different rootstock, Sharbati seedling as rootstock performed better as compared to Kala Amritsari and Green Gage cutting for all the above recorded parameters. This investigation additionally gives the chances for further research to explore whether this pattern proceeds in the productive year of the peach plant.