Effect of Grafting Height, Number of Scion and Timing of Rootstock Cutting Back on the Rate of Graft Joining and Vegetative Growth of Scion in Three Indian Ber (Ziziphus mauritiana) Cultivars

Indian Ber (Ziziphus mauritiana) has growing type as grape and is inclined to horizental and down ward growth. If it is not trained appropriately, it would grow into very bushy with thiny shoots. Hence, such trees have short lives, and are liable to pests and diseases with low yield. Fruit harvesting is also difficult in bushy trees. Therefore, proper pruning and training of young trees is essential for having strong trees. The effects of grafting height, scion number and timing of rootstock cutting back on the rate of graft joining in three Indian Ber cultivars was studied using factorial arrangements in randomized complete block design with three replications. Experimental factors included: grafting height at two levels (20 and 30 cm), number of scions at two levels (2 and 3 scions with 180º and 120 º angle, respectively), timing of rootstock cutting back at two levels (immedately and 30 days after grafting) and Indian Ber cultivars at three levels (IX, XI and XX). Results showed that rootstock cutting back immedately after grafting had significant effect on the rate of graft joining due to elimination of apical dominance. Number of scion had no significant effect on the rate of graft joining and length of scion. Grafting height significantly affected the length of scion as grafting at 30 cm height increased the length of scion in comparison with 20 cm.