The structure of graft unions in European chestnut using different grafting methods

Abstract

We studied the anatomical structure of graft unions in European chestnut using several grafting methods. The work was done in the greenhouse during 2003-04. The grafting methods epicotyl, hypocotyl, and inverted radicle were used. The grafts were made with scions of clone SA 5-1 on clone SE 21-9 rootstock. The samples for examination were taken from the graft unions 2, 6, and 12 months after grafting, and fixed in a formalin-acetic acid-alcohol solution. The observation of the anatomical structure of the graft union area revealed that new cambium, xylem, and phloem tissues were formed in the samples two months after grafting. Further, it could be also observed that 6 months were necessary for continuous cambial connection.