STAN DARD IZA TION OF GRAFT ING TIME AND METH ODS IN SOHIONG (Pru nus nepalensis L.) : AN UNDERUTILIZED FRUIT UN DER MID HILLS OF MEGHALAYA

Abstract

Tongue grafting performed on 15th October recorded minimum days to sprouting (15.00 days), highest graft success (98%), survival percentage (85.78%). Wedge grafting done on 15th October also performed better with regards to graft success (96%) and plant susrvival (82.47%). Vegetative growth parameters of Sohiong grafts recorded at 3 months after graft success revealed that the highest plant height (65.38 cm), number of leaves per plant (70.87), scion (8.48 mm) and roorstock (8.77 mm) growth observed in tongue grafting done on 15th October. Whereas, the highest total carbohydrate content (18.48 %), C: N ratio (6.44) and phenol content (3.14%) in leaves were recorded in wedge grafting done on 30th September while the minimum total carbohydrate content (13.86 %), C: N ratio (4.18) and phenol content were recorded in tongue grafting done on 30th October. It may be concluded that Sohiong may be grafted by both tounge and wedge method of grafting during 2nd week of October under mid hill condition of Meghalaya for better graft success and plant growth.