Epicotyl grafting: A new method for propagation in walnut (Juglans regia L.)

Walnut is very difficult to propagate and its multiplication is mainly done in the open field conditions, which generally takes two to three years for production of grafted nursery plants. For rapid multiplication of walnut plants, the present study was conducted in polyhouse conditions to standardize the method and time of epicotyl grafting with three methods of epicotyl grafting viz. cleft, wedge and tongue performed on 15,30 and 45-days-old epicotyls. The cleft grafting done on 15-days-old epicotyls gave highest percentage of bud-sprouting (94.66%), followed by wedge grafting which resulted in 90 per cent success. The highest total linear growth, scion girth and leaf area were produced by wedge method performed on 15-days-old epicotyls. On the basis of two years study, it is concluded that wedge method of grafting on 15-days-old epicotyls is recommended for commercial multiplication of nursery plants of walnut in a year under protective conditions.