Effects of Scion Collection Time and Grafting Treatments on the Survival of Epicotyl Grafts in Walnut

Abstract

Epicotyl grafting in one of the most eficient propagation methods for walnut tres. We have analyzed the scion factorsthat may influence the survival rate of the grafts. The optimum time for the collection of scions was turned out to be betwen Janu-ary and February. The survival rate of the grafted tres with the scions colected during the above period was 90%. The aplicationof Tobsinpaste, a water profing agent, to the cuting surface and the wrapping of the grafted areas with the polyethylene-filmenhanced the survival rates of the grafted trees from 8.3% the 86.7%. No diference was seen between the grafted trees with scionsof having 1 axillary bud and those with scions of having 2 axilary buds in survival rate. The survival rate of the grafted trees withthe scions collected from terminal branches was 85.5%, while that of grafted tres with the scions collected from the middle parts ofbranches was 78.4%. Although the grafts trees with the scions colected from the midle parts of branches showed lower survivalrate than those with the scions from terminal branches, the former appeared to be more effective than the later since more numberof scions could be produced from the middle parts of branches.