Improved Propagation Techniques in Temperate Nuts

Abstract

In simple terms, plant propagation can be defined as reproduction or multiplication of plants. Various procedures of plant propagation need to be developed in order to commercialize the crops. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages. The response of every plant is different to various methods of propagation. A number of propagation techniques have been developed with the aim of developing uniform crops, early bearers with increased production, resistance against pests and diseases, and introducing certain characters in new generation. It is because of these objectives that the plant propagation has become challenging and interesting. Plant propagation is both a science and an art through which the nurseries can be commercialized and income can be increased. It also helps in maintaining in the rootstock of the fruit trees. There are two methods of plant propagation, i.e. sexual and asexual. Whereas, on the one hand, sexual method includes propagation through seeds, asexual methods involve using vegetative methods like cutting, layering, grafting and budding which needs technical skilled. An advanced method of vegetative propagation in which the tissues are grown in controlled conditions is known as tissue culture. This technique is used to produce a large number of saplings that are virus free and true to type. Among the temperate fruit species, nuts hold a special position and in the past few years, their contribution has increased in the international market which has made it imperative to propagate them various means. Important nut crops like walnut (budding, bench grafting, micropropagation, hot callusing) pecan nut (hardwood and softwood cuttings, layering, etc.), chestnut (budding and grafting, direct seeding), pistachio (budding, grafting, micropropagation), hazelnut (layering, root cutting, etc.), almond (budding), chilgoza (vegetative propagation and seed propagation) are mostly propagated by the above-mentioned vegetative methods. Therefore, vegetative propagation can be considered to be the best method in continuing preferred traits over generations.