The Influence of Different Nursery Conditions on Graft Success and Plant Survival Using the Inverted Radicle Grafting Method on the Chestnut

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of different nursery conditions on graft success and plant survival for the chestnut. The study was carried out in the open field and under shaded and unshaded greenhouse conditions in 2006 and 2007. The inverted radicle grafting method was used with scions of genotypes SE 3-12 and Marigoule on seedlings of 554-14 genotype. Grafting was performed on the 10th May 2006 and 29th April 2007. To determine the influence of different nursery conditions using the inverted radicle grafting method on the chestnut, the graft success (sprouting) ratio (%) and plant survive ratio (%) were determined. A significant difference in the graft success and the survival ratio was found amongst the nursery conditions in 2006 but not in 2007. Results show that the highest rates for graft success and plant survival were obtained from shaded greenhouse conditions.