Vol. 18 No. 2
Graft take and survival percentage in soft wood grafting of cashew nut (Anacardium occidentale L.) using various types of degradable grafting tapes
Author(s): R. PRAVEEN, A. BANDYOPADHYAY and D. K. GHOSH
Abstract: Cashew is a commercially important plantation crop having high export potential. Softwood grafting was found to be the most suitable propagation method for large-scale multiplication of clonal plants of high yielding varieties. However, use of polythene tape for securing graft union is one of the reasons for less survival percentage of 65-70 per cent saleable grafts. In order to find out the cost effective and bio-degradable grafting tape to replace the polythene tape, an experiment was conducted with four grafting tapes. Maximum graft take percentage of 91.36% was recorded after 60 days after grafting (DAG) in the treatment buddy tape followed by natural rubber grafting tape (87.68%). Maximum grafts survival percentage of 82.10% at 180 DAG in buddy tape by natural rubber grafting tape 81.07%. Present study clearly indicated that, use of buddy tapes resulted in overall better performance with respect to graft take and survival percentage but cost is high and needs to be imported. Whereas, natural rubber grafting tapes show superior results over control in terms of graftake and survival with reduced graft care, readily and locally available at lower cost, reduced environmental pollution and could be recommended for complete replacement of single use polythene tape in grafting process.
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