Abstract
Main conclusionApplication of auxin to root stock and scion increases the success rate of grafting in Chinese hickory.The nuts of the Chinese hickory (Carya cathayensis) tree are considered both delicious and healthy. The popularity and high demand result is that the hickory nuts are of very high economical value for horticulture. This is particularly true for the Zhejiang province in eastern China where this tree is widely cultivated. However, there are several difficulties surrounding the hickory cultivation, such as for example long vegetative growth, tall trees, labour-intensive nut picking, and slow variety improvements. These complications form a great bottleneck in the expansion of the hickory industry. The development of an efficient grafting procedure could surpass at least some of these problems. In this study, we demonstrate that application of the auxin indole-3-acetic acid promotes the grafting process in hickory, whereas application of the auxin transport inhibitor 1-N-naphthylphthalamic acid inhibits the grafting process. Furthermore, we have identified hickory genes in the PIN, ABCB, and AUX/LAX-families known to encode influx and efflux carriers in the polar transport of auxin. We show that increased expression of several of these genes, such as CcPIN1b and CcLAX3, is correlating with successful grafting.
Highlights
The consumption of culinary nuts is often encouraged to reduce the risk of heart disease (Luo et al 2014; Aune et al 2016; Musa-Veloso et al 2016)
Grafting was performed on scions and root stocks which were not treated with indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) or naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA)
Successful grafting requires that both xylem and phloem are connected between root stock and scion
Summary
The consumption of culinary nuts is often encouraged to reduce the risk of heart disease (Luo et al 2014; Aune et al 2016; Musa-Veloso et al 2016). The tree Carya cathayensis (Chinese hickory) produces culinary nuts, in botanical terminology correctly referred to as drupes or stone fruits, which are considered both highly nutritious and very delicious. This tree is of particular value for farmers in the Zhejiang Province in China where it is broadly planted. The current difficulties could be surpassed through an improved grafting method for hickory. Grafting is an ancient and efficient method employed in various tree species to protect the plants from pathogens, abiotic stresses, and to increase the yield
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