Differential response of mango varieties to epicotyl grafting on commercial scale.
Radha T., Aravindakshan K.
Author Affiliation: Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur-680 656, Kerala, India.
: 265-268
Abstract : Mango is commercially propagated vegetatively due to its heterozygous nature. Epicotyl grafting is a recently standardized method for this crop under Kerala conditions. A study was conducted at Kerala Agricultural University, to ascertain the success of this method in 14 important mango cultivars grown in the state. The cultivars included were Alphonso, Bangalora, Banganapally, Bennet Alphonso, Chandrakaran, Imampasand, Kalapady, Mulgoa, Mundappa, Jehangir, Nadasala, Neelum, Prior and Suvarnarekha. The survival percentage was recorded 6 months after grafting. This ranged from 39.6% in Mulgoa to 84.5% in Kalapady, indicating the great variation in the response of different cultivars. Bangalora, Neelum and Mundappa also recorded relatively high graft survival (71.5, 70.8 and 69%, respectively). In order to compare the growth rate of the grafts, height of the plants was recorded at 6 and 12 months after grafting. The height of the plants varied from 26.3 cm in Chandrakaran to 36.5 cm in Bangalora at 6 months. At 12 months after grafting, the greatest height was recorded by Bangalora (78.5 cm) and the lowest by Chandrakaran (62.0 cm).