Optimising rootstock age and propagation methods in avocado (Persea americana) under naturally ventilated polyhouse conditions

MURALIDHARA  B M; NAYAN DEEPAK G; DEEKSHITH D; RAJENDIRAN S; ANUPA  T; ANUSHMA P L; MADHU G S; RANI  A T

doi:10.56093/ijas.v96i1.154270

Authors

MURALIDHARA B M ICAR-Central Horticultural Experiment Station, Chettalli, Kodagu, Karnataka, India
NAYAN DEEPAK G ICAR-Central Horticultural Experiment Station, Chettalli, Kodagu, Karnataka, India
DEEKSHITH D ICAR-Central Horticultural Experiment Station, Chettalli, Kodagu, Karnataka, India
RAJENDIRAN S ICAR-Central Horticultural Experiment Station, Chettalli, Kodagu, Karnataka, India
ANUPA T ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Hesaraghatta, Lake Post, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
ANUSHMA P L ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Hesaraghatta, Lake Post, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
MADHU G S ICAR-Central Horticultural Experiment Station, Chettalli, Kodagu, Karnataka 571 248, India
RANI A T ICAR-Central Horticultural Experiment Station, Chettalli, Kodagu, Karnataka 571 248, India

https://doi.org/10.56093/ijas.v96i1.154270

Keywords:

Avocado, Chip budding, Grafting, Patch budding, Rootstock

Abstract

Avocado (Persea americana Mill.), renowned for its exceptional nutritional and medicinal benefits, has seen a surge in popularity. There has been a huge demand for quality planting material for commercial cultivation. Hence, there is an urgent need for identification of successful propagation methods in avocado. Therefore, the present study was carried out during 2021–23 at ICAR-Central Horticultural Experiment Station, Chettalli, Karnataka to assess the suitability of different propagation methods (soft wood grafting, chip budding and patch budding) on rootstocks of varied age (2–8 months old) of avocado for growth and success at sub humid tropics of Coorg region. Softwood grafting on two months old rootstocks recorded the highest success (94.67%), when compared with other treatments, while it was the lowest in patch budding on two months old rootstocks (3.67%). Among different propagation methods, softwood grafting was found superior (61.43%) compared to chip (32.62%) and patch budding (32.67%). Rootstock age significantly impacted on sprouting and success rates, with eight-month-old rootstocks showing the quickest initial sprouting and seven-month-old rootstocks exhibiting the highest success rates. Additionally, rootstock age and girth were analysed through linear regression, revealing varying impacts on success rates across propagation methods. The success of softwood grafting decreased with increasing rootstock girth and age while chip and patch budding success increased as the rootstock age and girth advanced up to seven months. In conclusion, softwood grafting using two months old rootstocks is ideal for large scale multiplication of quality planting material. The chip and patch budding can also be utilised on 7–8 months old rootstocks and where there is shortage of scion.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Agasimani A A, Swamy G S K, Naik N, Jagadeesha R C, Gangadharappa P M and Thammaiah N. 2019. Effect of different age of rootstocks on success of softwood grafting technique in tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.) under northern dry zone of Karnataka. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences 8(4): 562–66.

Deepak G N, Singh Chandu, Jeevan U, Priyanka H L and Krishna K Rama. 2019. Early identification of graft compatibility through histological studies in mango. Indian Journal of Horticulture 76: 176.

Devi C A, Swamy G S K, Pandey B B, Naik N, Sampath P M, Suresha G J and Chavan M L. 2018. Studies on success of different age rootstocks of softwood grafting in jamun (Syzygium cuminii Skeels). International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences 7(2): 3158–65.

Gustafson W A and Morrissey T M. 2003. G03-1518 chip budding: An old grafting technique for woody plants with rediscovered advantages for Nebraska. (In) University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials, pp. 1736. University of Nebraska-Lincoln. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/extensionhist/1736/

Karna A K, Varu D K, Patel M K and Panda P A. 2018. Effect of grafting time on success of softwood grafting in mango (Mangifera indica L.). International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences 7(8): 3072–77.

Kumar R, Pratibha, Rai R and Nalini P. 2021. Comparative evaluation of grafting and budding methods in jackfruit. Indian Journal of Horticulture 78: 398–403.

Leonardi C and Romano D. 2004. Recent issues on vegetable grafting. Acta Horticulturae 631(1): 163–74.

Muralidhara B M and Gowda I D. 2019. Soft wood grafting-A novel and rapid multiplication technique in Coorg mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco). Journal of Horticultural Sciences 14(1): 7–12.

Muralidhara B M, Rani A T, Madhu G S, Rajendiran S, Chaitra M T, Sakthivel T, Karunakaran G and Tripathi P C. 2025a. Enhancing avocado farming: Arka Coorg Ravi and Arka Supreme as promising varieties. Indian Horticulture 70(2): 9–11.

Muralidhara B M, Sakthivel T, Karunakaran G, Shivshanakara K S, Venugopalan R, Venkataravanappa V, Karthik N V S, Lakshmana Reddy D C and Honnabyraiah M K. 2025b. Germplasm characterisation of Indian avocados based on morphological and biochemical traits. Plant Genetic Resources 23(5): 363–72.

Muralidhara B M, Sakthivel T, Karunakaran G, Venugopalan R, Venkatravanappa V, Savadi S and Honnabyraiah M K. 2023. Survey, collection and characterization of Indian avocado (Persea americana) germplasm for morphological characters. The Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences 93(2): 139–44.

Muralidhara B M, Sakthivel T, Reddy D L, Karunakaran G, Venkatravanappa V, Savadi S, Vaka D V, Naresh P, Shivashankara K S, Venugopalan R and Honnabyraiah M K. 2024. Genetic diversity and population structure analysis in avocado (Persea americana) accessions of India. Agricultural Research 1–9.

Nakakawa D. 2021. ‘Evaluation of graft success in Fuerte avocado cultivar under nursery and field environmental conditions’. PhD Thesis, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.

Narayan R and Thangam M. 2013. Vegetative methods of plant propagation in horticultural crops. (In) Extension Bulletin No.

02. Krishi Vigyan Kendra, ICAR Research Complex for Goa, Ela, Old Goa.

Ndagire S. 2021. ‘Graft success of Hass avocado cultivar under nursery and field environmental conditions at NAFORRI’. PhD Thesis, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.

Shindre P, Yallesh Kumar H S and Mavarkar N S. 2023. Effect of growth stimulants on growth and survivability of avocado (Persea americana Mill.) grafts under hill zone of Karnataka. Pharma Innovation Journal 12(2): 3479–81.

Skene D S, Shepherd H R and Howard B H. 1983. Characteristic anatomy of union formation in T and chip-budded fruit and ornamental trees. Journal of Horticultural Science 8(3): 295–99.

Subash B, Muthuramalingam S, Balakumbahan R, Venkatesan K and Anitha T. 2023. Standardization of softwood grafting in avocado (Persea americana Mill.) var. TKD1. International Journal of Environment and Climate Change 13(10): 2444–51.

Tripathi P C and Karunakaran G. 2019. Standardisation of time and method of propagation in avocado. Journal of Applied Horticulture 21(1): 67–69.

Tripathi P C, Karunakaran G, Sakthivel T, Sankar V, Senthil K R, Muralidhara B M, Rajendiran S, Ventaravanappa V, Madhu G S and Nesara Begane. 2022. Advances in Avocado Production in India, pp. 30. ICAR-IIHR, Central Horticultural Experiment Station, Chettalli, Kodagu, Karnataka.

Whiley A W and Whiley D G. 2005. Rootstock improvement for the Australian avocado industry- A preliminary report. (In) New Zealand and Avocado Grower’s Conference, Tauranga, New Zealand, 20–22 September 2005.

Yadav D, Pal A K and Singh S P. 2019. Effect of the age of root-stock on the success of soft-wood grafting in different cultivars of mango. Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology 7(4): 323–29.