Effect of grafting dates and wrapping materials on grafting success of apple (Malus domestica cv. Royal Delicious) in Jumla, Nepal

Abstract

Grafting is a successful method of propagation of cultivated apple (Malus domestica Borkh.). However, the most suitable grafting date and wrapping material have not been well understood. The field experiment was conducted to study the effect of grafting dates and wrapping materials on grafting success of royal delicious apple at Horticulture Research Station, Jumla of Karnali Province. The experiment was laid out in Two Factorial Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications. The treatments span four grafting dates (25th February, 4th March, 11th March, and 18th March of 2018) and two wrapping materials (grafting tape and normal plastic). Data for different parameters were taken at 60 days after grafting (DAG) and 90 DAG. The results revealed that the treatment of grafting date March 11 and grafting tape recorded minimum days (24.38) for first sprouting, minimum days (28.88) for 50% sprouting, maximum success percentage (92.51%), maximum increment in length (54.88 cm), and highest number of fully opened leaves (23.62) of grafted scions at 90 DAG. The results indicate that the suitable time for grafting of royal delicious apple is between 1st and 2nd weeks of March and suitable wrapping materials is grafting tape. The orchard or nursery owners of Jumla are suggested to carry out grafting in first half of March and to use grafting tape as wrapping material of graft.