Detailed Explanation of Mango Grafting Techniques and Operation Steps
As the mango planting area in China increases year by year, some fruit growers usually use grafting techniques to cultivate superior, high-yielding plants. Grafting has become one of the essential management techniques for fruit growers when planting. So when should mangoes be grafted? And how should it be done? Let's take a look together.
1. Grafting Time
The suitable time for grafting mangoes is when the temperature is above 20 degrees. Once the temperature drops below 20 degrees, the grafting survival rate will decrease as the temperature continues to fall. Therefore, grafting in March to April is best, and August to October is also acceptable. If the weather is dry, irrigate with water for 1-2 days before grafting to improve the grafting survival rate. Grafting is not suitable in hot and rainy weather.
2. Preparation Before Grafting
Collect scions from superior mother plants. The mother plant should be of a pure variety, high-yielding, stable-yielding, and free of pests and diseases. The scions should be selected from 1-2 year old branches on the outer periphery of the mother plant's canopy that face the sun, grow vigorously, have plump and well-filled buds, and are free of pests and diseases. Generally, for spring and summer grafting, use last year's autumn shoots or the current year's spring shoots, while for autumn grafting, generally use the current year's spring shoots. Branches that are flowering, fruiting, or have just finished fruiting are not suitable as scions. Defoliate the scions half a month before grafting. After the leaf stalks fall off, soak them in carbendazim solution for 3-5 minutes, then dry them and prepare for grafting. After the scions are cut, it is best to graft them as soon as possible, and no later than 30 days at the latest, so as not to affect the survival rate.
3. Bud Grafting Method
Select rootstock with a diameter of more than 0.8 cm. Open a bud grafting incision at 30 cm above the ground on the rootstock. Use a knife from top to bottom to make two parallel cuts, about 1 cm wide and about 3 cm long. Cut the upper end of the incision into a tongue shape, tear the bark downward, and remove most of the cortex, leaving only a small section. Select a plump bud on the scion, center on the bud, and carve a square piece 3 cm long and 0.5-0.7 cm wide, with the depth reaching the xylem. Take out the bud piece, peel off the xylem, and trim it into the shape of the bud grafting incision. Place the peeled bud in the center of the incision, insert the lower end into the pocket of bark, and leave a little gap between the upper end and both sides and the rootstock incision. After pressing tightly, wrap it well with plastic film. After about 20-30 days, the incision heals. When the grafted bud swells and protrudes, remove the wrapping film.
4. Cut Grafting Method
Select rootstock with a diameter of more than 0.5 cm. At 30 cm above the ground, cut the rootstock diagonally, peel a straight flat cut 2 cm long downward on the higher side, with the depth reaching the xylem, and then cut away more than half of the cortex. Cut the base of the scion into a slant, then make another cut downward on one side of the tip, with the same length as the rootstock, also cutting away more than half of the cortex. Insert the scion into the rootstock incision so that the cortex aligns, then seal and tie it tightly with film.
The above is an introduction to mango grafting techniques. I hope it can help you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.