Grafting Unrooted Cuttings of Grapes

Experiments were conducted to graft un-rooted cuttings of different grape varieties under Punjab conditions. Optimum temperature for callusing, the callusing medium and the time of grafting were worked out for different combinations. Primary graft bridge formation caused by growth and fusion of callus from stock and scion was used as index of success of graft union. It was found that a temperature of 26±3°C was better than lower temperatures. Callusing in the field under natural climate in months of December to February was not successful. Ordinary vineyard soil proved to be better callusing medium than sand or mango wood saw-dust. Cuttings made between end December and January gave similar success. Thus grafting programme can well be spread over at least one month. Of various combinations tried, Himrod, an American hybrid on Anab-e-Shahi and vice-versa gave better results than Perlette on Anab-e-Shahi and vice-versa. By using soil as medium of callusing, Himrod on Anab-e-Shahi gave 84 to 87 per cent success which is quite high.