Technique for Rapid Multiplication of Guava (Psidium guajava L.)

Transcription

1 Technique for Rapid Multiplication of Guava (Psidium guajava L.) G. Singh, S. Gupta, R. Mishra and A. Singh Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture Lucknow India Keywords: Guava, wedge grafting, greenhouse, open field, days taken to bud sprouting, success of grafts Abstract Wedge method of grafting was tried in guava (Psidium guajava L.) cultivars Allahabad Safeda and Sardar under greenhouse (GH) as well as in open field conditions (OFC) for 3 consecutive years ( ). The grafting operation performed in greenhouse gave significantly (P=0.05) higher success of grafts ( %) as compared to open field conditions ( %) in both the cultivars. However, maximum success of grafts was obtained in greenhouse ( %) as well as in open field conditions ( %) when grafting was carried out during November to February in both cultivars. Grafting under greenhouse significantly reduced the time taken (11-13 days) for sprouting than, those grafted in open field conditions. Interaction effect of variety greenhouse month, variety open field conditions months and variety factors (GH/OFC) months had significant effect on success of grafts and earliness in grafts sprouting when grafting was performed in winter months. The temperature range of 20 C to 26 C and RH 70 to 80 per cent were found most conductive for maximum (>70%) success. INTRODUCTION Guava (Psidium guajava L.) is considered to be one of the exquisite, nutrionally valuable and remunerative crops (Singh et al., 2000). Besides its high nutritional value, it bears heavy crop every year and gives good economic returns (Singh et al., 2000). This has prompted several farmers to take up guava orcharding on a commercial scale (Singh et al., 2003). In recent years, guava is getting popularity in the international trade due to its nutritional value and processed products (Singh, 2005). However, the greatest handicap in guava plantation is discriminate multiplication of plants from unreliable sources by nurserymen (Singh et al., 2005). Non-availability of quality planting materials and consequent substitution of poor quality seedlings have adversely affected the guava production and productivity. The initial planting material is the basic requirement on which the final crop depend both in quality and quantity (Singh et al., 2005). The scenario is changing from traditional propagation with incorporation of science and technology to nursery management and trade (Singh and Bajpai, 2003). In view of the high return and the potential for processing, there is a tremendous scope for bringing substantial additional area under guava crop in India. So, a rapid and successful propagation technique is required as the area under crop is expanding and there is a demand to prepare the guava sampling throughout the year. While choosing a particular technique for propagation of guava, the time of operation and climatic conditions should be taken into consideration. In the present context, rapid methods of propagation becomes very important when planting materials are limited due to the scarcity of a clone or verities or due to sudden expansion in acreage. Though guava is propagated through budding (Gupta and Mehrotra, 1985; Kaundal et al., 1987), air layering (Singh and Singh, 1970; Sharma et al., 1978; Manna et al., 2001), stooling (Rathore, 1984; Pathak and Saroj, 1988) and inarching (Mukherjee and Majumder, 1983) these are still not commercially viable due to varying rate of success, absence of tap root system and cumbersome process. Preliminary trials carried out by the authors have indicated that the rapid and successful propagation through wedge grafting technique has been found possible throughout the year even in extreme climatic conditions such as severe cold (Singh et al., 2005). Therefore, it has Proc. I st IS on Guava Eds. G. Singh et al. Acta Hort. 735, ISHS

2 become imperative to standardize the method of wedge technique for guava throughout the year under greenhouse as well as in open field conditions at Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture, Lucknow. MATERIALS AND METHODS Preparation of Stock Seedling The technique envisaged growing of seedlings in polyethylene bag, grafting and hardening (Singh et al., 2005). Raising rootstock in polyethylene bags is recommended by Singh et al. (2005) as it gives better establishment of plants in the field on account of undisturbed tap root system. Fresh seeds of guava cvs. Allahabad Safeda and Sardar were extracted from ripe fruits and washed thoroughly to remove the pulp and other material clinging to the seeds. After extraction, seeds of both the varieties were sown in polyethylene bags (20 10 cm). Polyethylene bags were filled with soil, sand and FYM in 3:1:1 ratio. Further, all the polyethylene bags were covered with 100 micron (400 gauge) white polyethylene sheet soon after sowing. Seedlings were raised for rootstocks in the nursery for approximately 6 to 8 months and after attaining a stem diameter of 0.5 to 1.0 cm, were picked up for wedge grafting. Selection of Scion Wood The scion shoots 15 to 18 cm long of pencil thickness ( cm) with 3 to 4 healthy buds were used for grafting. Selected scion shoots were defoliated on the mother plant, about 5 to 7 days prior to detachment. At the same time, the apical growing portion of selected shoots was also beheaded, which helps in forcing the dormant buds to swell. Grafting Technique After selection of the scion material, rootstock (seedling) was headed back, leaving 15 to 18 cm long stem above the polyethylene bag. The beheaded rootstock was split open about 4.0 to 4.5 cm deep through the centre from cut end of the rootstock with grafting knife. A wedge shaped cut, slanting from both the sides ( cm long) was made on the lower portion of the scion shoot. The scion stick was inserted into the split of the stock and pressed properly so that cambium tissues of rootstock and scion should come in contact with each other. The stock and scion combination was then tied with the help of 150 gauge, 2 cm wide and 25 to 30 cm long polyethylene strip. Using the above rootstock and scion material, wedge grafting was done from mid- January to mid-december. Three replications were maintained with 30 plants in each replication. Thus, the total number of plants of Allahabad Safeda and Sardar for a particular month was 360 in greenhouse and open field conditions. The statistical analysis was carried out by applying software MSTATC. The cultivars were taken as Factor A, greenhouse and open field condition as Factor B, and month as Factor C. Success percentage was recorded after initiation of sprouting in scion. During the entire period of experimentation, temperature and relative humidity under both the conditions were also recorded. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Days Taken for Sprouting Data pertaining (Tables 1, 2) to this character indicated that the plants grafted in greenhouse took less time to sprout as compared to open field conditions in case of both the cultivars. Among different months of grafting operation, the plant grafted in the month of January, February, June and December took less time (10-11 days) than rest of the months in greenhouse. Contrary to this the plant grafted in the open field conditions particularly in the month of March, May, July and September took less time (16-17 days) then that of other months. Overall, the plants grafted in open field conditions took maximum time (17-23 days) to sprout as compared to greenhouse. The combination 178

3 interactions of cv. month greenhouse open condition had significant effect on days taken to sprout. Success Percentage The impact of season on the success percentage is presented in Tables 3 and 4. It is clear from the Table 3 that grafting operation performed in greenhouse (GH) gave significantly higher success of grafts as compared to open field conditions (OFC) in both the cultivars through the entire period of investigations. The result showed that November, December, January, February and March, the success percentage increased (>80%) over the other months either in greenhouse or in open field conditions. However, maximum success percentage, i.e., 94.33, 93.90, 90.0 and was in Sardar, while 92.0, 89.0, 90.2 and 89.0 in Allahabad Safeda when propagation was done in February, January, December and November in greenhouse. Similarly, better success (>69%) was obtained in open field conditions when grafted in above months. Between the two factors, significantly higher success (84.31, and 81.54%) was obtained in wedge grafting in Sardar and Allahabad Safeda (83.60, and 79.30%) when grafting was carried in December, February and November. Interaction effects of variety greenhouse month, variety open field conditions month and variety factors (GH/OFC) month had significant effect on success percentage of grafts (Table 4). In general, maximum success was recorded when grafting operation was done in greenhouse in Sardar followed by Allahabad Safeda throughout, the investigation period. However, months showed better success either grafting operation performed in greenhouse or in open field conditions. It is interesting to note that the maximum success was in January, February, August, September, October, November and December under both the factors (GH/OFC) either in Sardar or in Allahabad Safeda, respectively. Environmental Condition and Plant Multiplication The temperature and relative humidity were recorded at am, 1.00 pm and 4.00 pm under greenhouse as well as in open field conditions. It has been observed that the grafts success was higher (> 80%) in November, December, January and February in greenhouse, while it was more than 69 per cent in December, January and February under open field conditions. This is mostly due to suitable temperature and relative humidity during the above months (Figs. 1, 2). The average mean temperature and relative humidity under greenhouse conditions in November, December, January and February were 24.96, 20.15, and C and 75.33, 73.66, and per cent as against 38.1, 37.1, 33.8, 34.8 C in open field conditions. This indicates that temperature range of 20 to 26 C and relative humidity of 69 to 78 per cent were the most conducive for maximum graft union in guava. Temperature has a pronounced affects of the production of callus tissue (Hartman and Kester, 1972). Temperature that will cause high cell activity is necessary for better graft union (Shippy, 1930). The wedge grafting should thus take place at the time when such favourable temperatures can be expected and when the plant tissues, especially the cambium, are in a naturally active state. These conditions occurred in the present investigations during winter months. Sitton (1931) clearly showed that temperature in the range of C during callusing period in black walnut gives better results. In the present study, such suitable condition obtained in January, February, March, August, September, October, November and December. The new callus tissue arising from the cambial region is composed of thin walled, turgid cells which can easily become desiccated and die (Hartman and Kester, 1972; Singh et al., 1986). It is important for the production of these parenchyma cells that the humidity in the vicinity of the cambial region of the graft union is kept at a high level. Further, (Hartman and Kester, 1972) reported that the thin-walled parenchyma cells, at a very high relative humidity and temperature, will provide favourable conditions for the growth of certain fungi and bacteria which are exceedingly detrimental to the successful healing of the graft union. A 179

4 number of detailed studies have been made of the healing of graft unions, mostly in woody plants (Mergen, 1954; Sax and Dickson, 1956). It is essential that the original graft components be held together firmly by some means, such as wrapping, tying or better yet, by wedging so that the part will not more about and dislodge the interlocking parenchyma cells after proliferation has started (Mergen, 1954). The statement is often made that for successful grafting that cambium layer of stock and scion must be matched. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The authors are thankful to the National Committee on Plasticulture Applications in Horticulture, Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, New Delhi for providing the necessary funds to conduct this experiment. Literature Cited Gupta, M.R. and Mehrotra, N.K Propagation studies in guava (Psidium guajava L.) cv. Allahabad Safeda. J. Res. PAU, Ludhiana, 22: Hartmann, H.T. and Kester, D.S Plant propagation: principles and practices. Prientice-Hall of India Pvt. Ltd. New Delhi. Kaundal, G.S., Gill, S.S. and Minhas, P.P Budding techniques in clonal propagation of guava. Punjab Hort. J., 27: Manna, A. Mathew, B. and Ghosh, S.N Air layering in guava cultivars. Journal of Interacademicia, Nadia. India. 2: Mergen, F Anatomical study of slash pine graft unions. Quart. J. Fla. Acad. Sci., 17: Mukherjee, S.K. and Majumder, P.K Vegetative propagation of tropical and subtropical fruit crops. ICAR, New Delhi. Pathak, R.K. and Saroj, P.L Studies on the propagation of guava species by stool layering. Fruit Res Workshop, Subtropical and Temperate Fruits, RAU, Pusa, Bihar. Rathore, D.S Studies on the propagation of guava by stooling. Punjab Hort. J., 24: Sax, K. and Dickson, A.Q phloem polarity in bark regeneration, J. Arn. Arb., 37: Sharma, K.K. Jawanda, J.S. and Gill, S.S Propagation of guava by mound layering. Punjab Hort. J., 18: Singh, B.P. and Singh, I.J Studies on the effect of source and plant growth regulators on the performance of air layers of guava (Psidium guajava L.). J. Res. PAU., 12: Singh, G High density planting in guava application of canopy architecture. ICAR News (April June), 11 (2): pp 9 10 Singh, Gorakh and Bajpai, Anju Hi-tech nursery with special reference to fruit crops. In: Precision Farming in Horticulture, Singh, H.P., Singh, Gorakh, Samuel, J. C. and Pathak, R.K. (eds.). NCPAH, DAC, MoA, PFDC, CISH, Lucknow, pp Singh, Gorakh, Singh, A.K. and Verma, A Economic evaluation of crop regulation treatments in guava (Psidium guajava L.). Indian J. agric. Sci. 70: Singh, Gorakh, Gupta, Soni, Mishra, R. and Singh, G.P Wedge grafting for rapid multiplication of guava. ICAR News, 11 (3) 2-3. Singh, Gorakh, Gupta, Soni, Mishra, Rajneesh and Singh, G.P Wedge grafting in guava A novel vegetative propagation technique, Pub. CISH, Lucknow, 12 p. Singh, H.P., Singh, Gorakh, Samuel, J.C. and Pathak, R.K Precision Farming in Horticulture, NCPAH, DAC, MoA, PFDC, CISH, pp Singh, R.N., Singh, Gorakh and Rao, O.P Vegetative propagation of papaya through budding. Indian J. Horticulture, 43:1-8. Sippy, W.B Influence of environment on the callusing of apple cutting and graft. Amar. J. Bot., 17:

5 Sitton, B.G Vegetative propagation of the black walnut. Mich. Agr. Exp. Sta. Tech. Bul., 119:1931. Tables Table 1. Seasonal effect on days taken for sprouting in different months of wedge grafting in greenhouse as well as in open field conditions cv. Allahabad Safeda and Sardar. Month Greenhouse Open Condition Mean AS Sardar AS Sardar AS Sardar January February March April May June July August September October November December Mean CD (P=0.05) Table 2. Interaction effect (CV. M GH OC) on day taken to sprouting in wedge grafting. Month CV. GH M CV. OC M CV. Factors M January February March April May June July August September October November December Mean CD (P=0.05) Factor A Greenhouse; Factor B Open field conditions; M Month; OC Open field conditions; GH greenhouse; cv. cultivar. 181

6 Table 3. Seasonal effect on success of wedge grafting in different months in greenhouse as well as in open field conditions in guava cv. Sardar and Allahabad Safeda. Month Greenhouse Open Condition Mean AS Sardar AS Sardar AS Sardar January February March April May June July August September October November December Mean CD (P=0.05) Table 4. Interaction effects (CV. M GH OC) on success of wedge grafting. Month CV. GH M CV. OC M CV. Factors M January February March April May June July August September October November December Mean CD (P=0.05) Factor A Greenhouse; Factor B Open field conditions; M Month; OC Open field conditions; GH greenhouse; CV cultivar. 182

7 Figures Values RH(%) Temp. D (AS) S (AS) 20 S (S) 0 Jan F M A My Ju Ju Au S O N D Months D(AS)/(S) Days Fitaken 1 M to sprouting [(d f in Allahabad (DOY) ]h Safeda/Sardar; l S(AS)/(S) d h idi Success i of grafts in Allahabad Safeda/Sardar. Fig. 1. Mean [days of year (DOY)] hourly temperature and humidity in relation to days taken to bud sprout success of grafts in Open Field Conditions. D (S) Values Jan F M A My Ju Ju Au S O N D RH (%) Temp. (max) Temp. (min) D (AS) Months D(AS)/(S) Days taken Fi to 2 M sprouting [(d in f Allahabad (DOY)] Safeda/Sardar; h l t S(AS)/(S) t d h Success idit i of grafts in Allahabad Safeda/Sardar. D (S) S (AS) Fig. 2. Mean [days of year (DOY)] hourly temperature and humidity in relation to days taken to sprouting and success of grafts in greenhouse. S (S) 183

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