Effect of Maturity of Shoot and Polythene Bag Cover on Softwood Grafting in Karonda (Carissa congesta Wight.)

Karonda (Carissa congesta Wight., formerly shown as C. carandus L.) is a member of Apocynaceae family. It is an exceedingly hardy shrub or a small tree attaining a height of about 3 to 6 m. when fully grown. The investigation was carried out at the Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Dapoli, Dist. Ratnagiri, Maharashtra State. While performing the softwood grafting of karonda with three different age scion and with or without polythene bag cover it was observed that treatment combination of softwood scion (2 months age) and polythene bag cover showed earlier and significant sprouting. In first week it started sprouting (1.17) and completed it in fourth week (18.33). Significant sprouting (91.96%) was shown by treatment combination of softwood scion (2 months age) and polythene bag cover with 97.31 per cent survival and 2.69 per cent mortality. Polythene cover and 2 month age scion contributed for the maximum number of leaves (14.27), shoot length (10.26 cm) and significantly superior girth of new shoot (0.42cm).