Effects of Different Rootstock Diameters and Budding Periods on Graft Success and Plant Growth in Kiwifruit Seedling Production

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the effects of different rootstock diameters and budding time on graft success and plant growth. In this study, two different diameters of rootstock (5.00-7.00 mm and 7.01-9.00 mm) were examined using the chip budding method at four different budding periods (fall budding September 1-September 15; shoot budding May 1-May 15). In grafted seedlings, the bud take rate (%), the bud sprout rate (%), shoot diameter (mm), shoot length (cm), total leaf area (cm(2) plant(-1)) were examined. While the timing of budding affected the success rate of the grafting, the rootstock diameter was shown to be insignificant. Shoot budding resulted in higher bud take ratio in comparison to fall budding. Budding carried out on May 1 was shown to be the most successful (97.5 %) with regard to the bud take. Rootstock diameter x budding period interaction was found to be significant on bud sprout ratio, shoot diameter and total leaf area. On these traits, May budding period for thin rootstock diameter had significant negative effects, but for thick rootstock diameter had no significant effects.