Explain grafting method.

Grafting is a horticultural technique used to join together different plant tissues, typically the stem or shoot of one plant (called the scion) with the root system of another plant (called the rootstock), creating a new plant known as the graft. This method allows for the combination of desirable traits from both the scion and the rootstock, resulting in a plant with improved characteristics such as disease resistance, increased vigor, or better fruit quality.

The grafting process typically involves the following steps:

Selection of Scion and Rootstock: The scion is chosen based on its desired traits, such as fruit quality, flower color, or growth habit. The rootstock is selected based on its compatibility with the scion and its ability to confer certain characteristics such as disease resistance, tolerance to specific soil conditions, or improved vigor.

Preparing the Scion: The scion is usually a young, actively growing shoot or stem from the desired plant. It is cut at an angle to create a long, slanting cut with at least one or two buds. The lower end of the scion is often shaped into a wedge or a tongue.

Preparing the Rootstock: The rootstock is typically a young seedling or an established plant with a well-developed root system. The rootstock is cut across the stem, creating a flat or sloping cut that matches the shape of the scion.

Joining Scion and Rootstock: The prepared scion and rootstock are carefully aligned and joined together, ensuring that the cambium layers of both tissues are in close contact. The cambium is the thin layer of actively dividing cells responsible for growth in plants. Proper alignment and close contact between the cambium layers are crucial for successful grafting because they allow for the exchange of water, nutrients, and hormones between the scion and the rootstock.

Securing the Graft: The scion and rootstock are secured together using various grafting techniques such as whip and tongue, cleft graft, side-veneer graft, or budding. These methods involve using grafting tape, rubber bands, or grafting wax to hold the two parts firmly in place until they heal and form a strong union.

Providing Optimal Growing Conditions: After grafting, the newly joined plant is protected and provided with appropriate growing conditions, including suitable temperature, humidity, and light levels. This helps ensure successful healing and integration of the graft.

Over time, the scion and the rootstock grow together, forming a single plant with the combined characteristics of both parent plants. Grafting is widely used in horticulture and agriculture for propagating fruit trees, ornamental plants, and improving the performance of various crops. It is a valuable technique for plant breeding, disease management, and creating plants with desirable traits that might not be achievable through traditional propagation methods like seed sowing or vegetative propagation.