A Versatile New Tactic for Fruit Tree Micrografting

Abstract

Micrografting is au effective technique for elimination of viruses, early diagnosis of grafting incompatibilities, rejuvenation of mature tissue, and bypassing the juvenile phase in fruit trees. Current micrografting procedures are difficult, impractical, expensive, and generally result in an inefficient rate of successful graft production. To alleviate some of these limitations, a unique apparatus was designed to splice the in vitro-derived scion and rootstock together during the micrografting process. The dual-layer device was constructed with an outer layer of aluminum foil, with flexibility to facilitate manipulation during the grafting of micro-scale plants. A delicate, absorbent inner layer of paper toweling cushions the plant tissue. It also may be treated with hormones and other compounds. After healing, it is easy to remove the grafting apparatus from the grafted plant without damaging the tissues. This apparatus may be used to unite a scion and a rootstock with different stem diameters. Shoot-tip cultures of `McIntosh' and M.7 apple and `North Star' sour cherry, and in vitro seedlings of lemon, orange, and grapefruit were used as a source of in vitro scions and rootstocks. Successful graft unions were developed, and the grafted plants were transplanted into the greenhouse environment.