What factors affect the survival rate of fruit tree grafting?
Grafting technology is widely used in fruit tree production. It can improve varieties, cultivate excellent fruit trees, and is of very important significance for increasing economic value. However, when grafting, the greatest concern is the survival rate after grafting. So what are some reasons affecting the grafting survival rate? Let's take a look together.
1. Compatibility
When grafting fruit trees, there must be excellent compatibility between the scion and the rootstock. This is the basic condition for successful grafting. No matter what kind of fruit tree, which grafting method is used, or what environmental conditions there are, the scion and rootstock must have a certain degree of compatibility to survive grafting. Generally, the same variety is chosen when grafting, as this makes survival easiest, followed by fruit trees of the same genus and family, while grafting between fruit trees of different families and genera is more difficult to survive.
2. Vigor of the scion and rootstock
In order for grafting to succeed, the scion and rootstock must store sufficient nutrients and have strong vigor. If the vitality of the scion and rootstock is low and the stored nutrients are also relatively few, then grafting is extremely difficult to survive. Therefore, when grafting, the rootstock selected is generally one that grows strongly, has a stem thickness above 0.8 cm, and is free of pests and diseases; the scion should also be selected from an excellent mother plant, mature, robust, and free of pests and diseases, so as to ensure the survival rate.
3. Grafting time
Commonly used grafting methods include bud grafting, bark grafting, side grafting, cut grafting, and others. Different grafting methods are operated differently, so the grafting time is also different and should be carried out according to weather changes. If an unsuitable grafting method is chosen at the wrong time, it may lead to grafting failure. Generally, grafting should be carried out in warm, windless, or sunny weather, while rainy days or strong windy days are not suitable for grafting. In the low-temperature seasons of winter and spring, grafting should be carried out on warm sunny days, avoiding low-temperature windy days. In the high-temperature seasons of summer and autumn, grafting should be done in the early morning or evening, avoiding the period of strong direct sunlight at noon.
4. Whether the cambium is aligned
When grafting, the cambium of the rootstock and the scion is aligned together, as only then can grafting succeed. The cambium is a layer of tissue between the branch and the xylem, with extremely strong meristematic ability. When the two are aligned and closely pressed together, the cambium will continuously divide cells, causing them to heal together and form a new plant. If the cambium of the two is not aligned and closely pressed together, grafting will fail, so this point is very important when grafting.
The above is an introduction to the factors affecting the survival rate of fruit tree grafting. I hope it can help you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please follow us.