Effect of Curing of Scion on Success Rate of Softwood Grafting in Sapota

An experiment was carried out at College of Horticulture, Mudigere, Chikmagalur district, Karnataka state to know the effect of curing of scion on success of soft wood grafting in Sapota. The different curing days viz., 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 days cured scions of Sapota were used for grafting with 6 treatments and 4 replications. It is very evident from the study that out of different days cured scions ten days cured scions have taken minimum number of days for sprout initiation The minimum number of days taken for initiation of sprouting (9.00), 50 per cent (17.95) and 100 per cent (26.75) was observed in case of 10 days cured scion Ten days cured scions also recorded maximum number of sprouts at 30 (1.55), 60 (2.08) and 90(2.45) days after grafting, maximum number of leaves and leaf area index at 60 (5.30) (2.13)and 90 (6.55) (2.78) days after grafting, the maximum length and breadth of leaves at 60(2.78cm) (3.59cm), and 90 (6.73 cm) (3.79cm) days after grafting. Maximum height of the graft at 30(36.50 cm), 60 (36.85 cm) and 90 (38.47 cm) days after grafting maximum scion girth at 60 (4.74 mm) days after grafting, graft index at 30 (2623.50), 60 (2473.25)and 90 (2129.25) days after grafting maximum percent graft success at 30(68.75%), 60 (65.00%) and 90 (62.50%) day after grafting maximum survival percentage (84.00%) were observed when grafting was done with 10 days cured scion. Whereas the results of percentage and survivability were decreased with decrease in curing days and minimum results were foundin 0 days cured scions. Pre-curing of scion is more beneficial in terms of better success rate along with better overall graft growth. Further, the curing of scions had still improved the efficacy of the growth parameters resulting in better graft growth and success and giving a possibility of maintaining the vigour of the scion.