Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is one of the important fruit crops grown on commercial scale in Deccan Plateau of India and is gaining a lot of popularity worldwide in recent years owing to its high economic, nutraceutical and therapeutic values [1]. It is mainly propagated by air layering in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Unlike other perennial fruit crops, multistem training system is very common in pomegranate [2]. Recently, wilt has emerged as an important threat in major pomegranate growing belts of India and to combat this problem neither any standard grafting/budding technique nor suitable rootstock is available.

Rootstocks have been used in fruit crops to protect against soil borne diseases and pests since long time. The important characteristics in the selection of rootstocks are that they should be easily propagated, good graft compatibility with scion varieties and adoption to a range of soil conditions [3].

Development of tap and secondary root is possible through seedling propagation. This may help in minimising the root exposure in root rhizosphere and their by limiting infection of pathogen. There is inadequate information in case of different rootstocks application in pomegranate.

Thus, with view to assess the bud union by using different rootstocks with patch budding the present investigations entitled “study of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) propagation using patch budding” was conducted.

The experiment was carried out during September 2014 to March 2015 under 50% green coloured shade net house at "Instructional-cum-Demonstration Farm," Department of Horticulture, MPKV., Rahuri, Maharashtra. The experiment was conducted in randomized block design. Patch budding and eleven rootstocks Ganesh (T₁), Bedana Suri (T₂), Alandi (T₃), Kandhari (T₄), Jallore Seedless (T₅), Jodhpur Red (T₆), Patna-5 (T₇), Muscat (T₈), Yercaud (T₉), Bedana Sedana (T₁₀) and Daru (T₁₁) were used. Thus, total 11 treatments were replicated in 3 times. There were 20 budded plants in each treatment and replication. Patch bud of Phule Bhagwa Super was used for budding. Almost one year old seedlings of different rootstocks raised in black polythene bags (30 x 18”) filled with soil, sand, vermicompost and FYM mixture in 1:1:1:1 ratio. On the selected rootstock stick, bark of similar in size and shape was removed about 3 to 4 cm from top. The patch was fitted perfectly into the notch and was tied firmly with a polythene strip exposing the bud out and was tied with polythene strip. Polythene cap of 100-gauge thickness in 3cm x 15 cm size were used in to cover the bud-scions. The numbers of days required for sprouting of buds from the date of budding were recorded treatment wise for each plant and average values were reported. The budded plants in which the growth of scion stick observed were considered as successful buds. The sprouting of budded scion was considered as initial success and percentage of sprouting was computed after 30 days after budding. Survival of prepared buds was also recorded at 60 and 90 days after budding operation as a final survival percentage was computed. The number of sprouted shoots was counted treatment wise in each replication for each plant and the average number of shoots per plant was recorded after 180 days of budding operation. The average number of internodes, length of shoot and length of internodes per shoot counted treatment and replication wise from each plant separately after 180 days of budding operation. Statistical analysis of the data was done by standards described by Panse and Sukhatme [4].

Days Required for Sprouting

The data regarding mean numbers of days required for sprouting of buds significantly, influenced by rootstocks and it is given in (Table 1). The minimum (20.00) days required for sprouting of grafts were recorded in T₂ and T₃ followed by (20.07) days T₅. Minimum number of days required for sprouting associated with more availability of food material in the scion. The bud sprouting was observed from 20.00 days in the scion budded on Bedana Suri and Alandi rootstocks to 23.35 days in the Yercaud & Bedana Sedana rootstock combination. The variation in days required for sprouting might be due to the availability of storage material in the scion that has helped to supply for early bud sprout. These results confirm the obtained by Errea [5], who reported insufficient growth of callus, defects in phloem differentiation, lignifications, or metabolic interaction.

Percentage of Sprouting up to 30 Days after Grafting and Survival of Grafts 60 and 90 Days after Budding

The data regarding percentage of sprouting up to 30 days after budding significantly influenced by rootstocks that ranged from 66.00% to 80.00% and it is given in (Table 1). The maximum (80.00%) sprouting recorded in T_2. The maximum survival percentage were (80.00%) and (76.67%) recorded in T₁ on 60^th and 90^th days after budding respectively. The variation in budding success suggests the changes in amount and time taken for callus formation and also the use of rootstock. These results confirm the obtained by Errea [5], who reported insufficient growth of callus, defects in phloem differentiation, lignifications, or metabolic interaction. Lu and Ren [6] and Stino et al. [7] emphasized variation in percentage success and survival of pomegranate grafting due to use of rootstocks. A higher percentage of survival might be active growing meristematic stage exhibited by both the rootstock and scion, which facilitates callus formation and thereby enhances grafting success [8].

Table 1 Effect of patch budding and different rootstocks on sprouting and survival of budded grafts. 

Average Number of Sprouted Shoots 180 Days after Budding

It is observed from (Table 2) that the effects of patch budding and different rootstocks on average number of sprouted shoot 180 days after budding recorded statistically significant, the maximum numbers (2.53) of shoots were recorded in T₂.

Average Length of Sprouted Shoots 180 Days after Budding

It is observed from (Table 3) that the effects of patch budding and different rootstocks on average length of sprouted shoot 180 days after budding recorded statistically significant, the maximum length of shoots (80.50 cm) was recorded in T₂.

Average Number of Internodes per Plant 180 Days after Budding

It is observed from (Table 3) that that the effects of patch budding and different rootstocks on average number of internodes per plant 180 days after budding recorded statistically significant, the maximum number of internodes (21.50) per plant were recorded in T₂. Shoot length, number of shoots, number of internodes, length of internodes, number of leafs per shoot and leaf areas are the indications of vigor of the plant. Shoot length of the scion after budding varied significantly among the rootstocks under study. The rootstock Bedana Suri imparted more vigor to the scion which is at par with the Ganesh, Kandhari and Alandi, while the lowest shoot length was recorded with Daru stionic combination. The increase vigor might be due to early callusing at the bud union that has restored early supply of food material as suggested by Coombe [9]. A positive correlation between shoot length, internode length and leaf numbers indicated that vigorous rootstock greatly influences the shoot growth of scion [10]. 

Girth at Bud Union (mm) 180 Days after Budding

The interaction effects of patch budding and different rootstocks recorded statistically significant. The highest girths at bud union (12.86 mm) were recorded in T₂ (Table 2).

Table 2 Effect of patch budding and different rootstocks on growth parameters of budded grafts

Average Fresh Root Weight (g) 180 Days after Budding

It is observed from (Table 3) that that the effects of patch budding and different rootstocks on average fresh root weight 180 days after budding recorded statistically significant, the maximum fresh root weight (33.60 g) was recorded in T₂. The maximum fresh root weight was recorded in Bedana Suri. This might be due to varietal characteristics of the rootstocks.

Average Fresh Shoot Weight (g) 180 Days after Budding 

It is observed from (Table 3) that that the effects of patch budding and different rootstocks on average fresh shoot weight 180 days after budding recorded statistically significant, the maximum fresh shoot weight (45.80 g) was recorded in T₂. The higher fresh shoot weight in the above-mentioned bud union could be pertained to sooner bud take possibly resulting in better connection between stock and scion and consequently better water and nutrient uptake. These results are similar to those reported by Kayane et al. [11], Polat and Kaska [12] and Hamdi et al. [13] on other fruit crops.

Shoot/Root Weight ratio 180 Days after Budding 

It is observed from (Table 3) that that the effects of patch budding and different rootstocks on shoot/root weight ratio 180 days after budding recorded statistically significant, the maximum shoot/root weight ratio (1.38) was recorded in T₃.

Table 3: Effect of patch budding and different rootstocks on fresh root, shoot weight (g) and shoot/root weight ratio

Number of Secondary Roots per Graft 180 Days after Budding

It is observed from (Table 4) that that the effects of patch budding and different rootstocks on number of secondary roots per graft 180 days after budding recorded statistically significant, the maximum number of secondary roots per budded grafts (16.00) was recorded in T₂.

Table 4: Effect of patch budding and different rootstocks on number of roots and length of primary root (cm)

Length of Primary Roots (cm) 180 Days after Budding

It is observed from (Table 4) that that the effects of patch budding and different rootstocks on length of primary root 180 days after budding recorded statistically significant, the maximum length of primary root (34.47) was recorded in T_2.

Thus, it can be concluded from the afore mentioned investigation that the better bud union of cv. Phule Bhagwa Super was found with the rootstocks, Bedana Suri, Ganesh, Kandhari, Jallore Seedless and Alandi by patch budding to obtained higher percentage of success and better stionic growth of pomegranate grafts.

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