Study to identify the suitable propagation technique in apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) under western Uttar Pradesh conditions

Abstract

The present investigation entitled “Study to identify the suitable propagation technique in apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) under western Uttar Pradesh conditions” was carried out at Horticultural Research Centre of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture & Technology, Meerut – 250110 during 2022-23. In this study, three propagation methods namely tongue grafting, cleft grafting, and side grafting and three times of propagation viz. 1 January, 15 January, and 30 January were selected and nine combinations of these propagation methods and propagation times were made and grafted with three replications. The different parameters for these propagation methods and propagation time combinations were recorded to evaluate the best propagation method and time and their combination. When plants were tongue grafted it took the minimum days to bud intake and showed the maximum results in scion diameter, rootstock diameter (on grafting day, 30 DAG, 60 DAG, 90 DAG), number of leaves, leaf area (at 30 DAG, 60 DAG, 90 DAG), survival percentage (at 60 DAG, 90 DAG). And maximum results were found in percent success at 30 days, rootstock diameter (at 30 DAG), number of branches, plant height, survival percentage (at 30 DAG, 60 DAG) when plants were cleft grafted. When plants were grafted on 30 January it took minimum days to bud intake and showed maximum results in scion diameter (on grafting day, 30 DAG, 60 DAG, 90 DAG), number of branches (at 30 DAG, 60 DAG), leaf area, plant height (at 30 DAG, 60 DAG, 90 DAG), survival percentage (at 90 days). And maximum results were found in number of branches (at 90 DAG), number of leaves, survival percentage (at 30 DAG, 60 DAG) when plants were grafted on 15 January. And in rootstock diameter maximum results were obtained when plants were grafted on 1 January. The treatment T3 (Tongue grafting × 30 January) had maximum percent success at 30 days, scion diameter, rootstock diameter (on grafting day, 30 DAG, 60 DAG, 90 DAG), number of branches (at 30 DAG, 60 DAG), number of leaves, leaf area, plant height, survival percentage (at 30 DAG, 60 DAG, 90 DAG) and take minimum days to bud intake. Based on results obtained in the present study, it can be concluded that tongue grafting is the most suitable propagation method for Apple, followed by cleft grafting. Additionally, the most favorable time for propagation was determined to be on 30 January, with propagation carried out on 15 January also showing satisfactory results. When considering the interaction between different methods and timing of propagation, the most favorable combination was observed when tongue grafting was performed on 30 January. Therefore, tongue grafting can be adopted with great success in Apple for propagating plants on commercial scale in western Uttar Pradesh.