Grafting technique and rootstock species for the propagation of Plinia cauliflora

Abstract

ABSTRACT: One of the biggest challenges for expansion of jabuticaba fruit tree cultivation is the high cost of seedlings due to to difficulties with vegetative propagation. Here, we aimed to evaluate graft survival in combinations of Plinia cauliflora and rootstocks of other species from the Myrtaceae family. The study was carried out at the Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná - Campus Dois Vizinhos, Paraná State, Brazil. Eugenia uniflora L., E. involucrata DC, and P. cauliflora were used as rootstocks and were obtained as seeds. The 'whip-and- tongue' and cleft grafting techniques were tested for vegetative propagation. Grafted plants were cultivated in a greenhouse. The experimental design was a randomized complete block, in factorial 3×2 (rootstock species× graft type), with four replicates of 10 grafts by plot. Compatibility between rootstock species and scion was evaluated by diameter growth below and above the grafting point and by vegetative budburst and survival percentages. The use of P. cauliflora grafts with the same species was required for propagation. E. involucrata and E. uniflora rootstocks were not capable of propagation with P. cauliflora . Therefore, it is necessary to test other species from the Myrtaceae family.