Research on shortening the nursery period in grafted chestnut

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of inverted radicle and hypocotyl grafting methods on potted nursery tree production in chestnut. The study was carried out in greenhouse conditions in 2003-2004. Newly germinated chestnut seeds and young seedlings of SA 5-1 genotype were used as rootstocks and sprouts with dormant buds of the same genotype were used as scions. Graftings were done at three periods from April to June. Graft success and scion shoot growth were examined to determine a suitable method and time of grafting. It was found in the study that potted chestnut nursery trees could be produced in one year using either of the grafting methods. Better graft success and survival ratio were obtained from inverted radicle grafting. In this method, graft success was 83.6% in 2003 and 96.7% in 2004.

Keywords

• chestnut
• castanea sativa
• inverted radicle grafting
• hypocotyl grafting
• nursery period
• graft success
• juvenile grafts