Factors affecting the budgrafting success and the scion growth of young budding of Hevea

Abstract

The size of the bag in which the stock plant is grown seems to have an effect on the growth of the seedling; from the three bag sizes tested, ie 15 x33 cm, 18 x 38 cm, 23 x 45 cm, it was found that the diameter the number of leaf whorls of the seedling increased with the increase of the bag size.Though the differences are not statistically significant, the budding success too increased in the same pattern. There was no effect of the bag size on the growth of the scion. The two types of buds, axillary scale, showed no difference either on bud grafting success or on the growth of the scion. The growth stage of the top most leaf whorl of the stock plant, either mature or immature, had no effect on the peeling qualities budgrafting success though a little higher budgrafting success was seen when the top flush was immature. There was an effect of the snag, on the scion growth; when the snag was shorter the sprouting took place earlier but, the scion growth was slightly poor as was evident by the diameter the length of the scion. Long snags delayed the sprouting , but the scion growth was better. The best growth of the scion was obtained when the snag was long with a few leaves attached to it.