IMPROVEMENT OF GRAFTING UNION IN PLUM BY STUDYING GRAFT ANATOMY

G. Grădinariu, C. Zlati, M. Istrate , L. Draghia
During grafting, phenolic compounds from the cut surface cells oxidize and produce necrotic layers isolating the surfaces. Callus cells formed from the xylem medullar ray and from cambial activity destroy the necrotic layers on the cut surfaces. Then, the gaps between the rootstock and scion are filled and vessels connection between them are re-established. After this stage, the transport of water and nutrients through the grafting area is restored. For a successful grafting it is important to pursue the anatomical development between tissue of scion and rootstock after grafting. The anatomical structure of graft unions was investigated in plum cultivars ‘Stanley’, ‘Centenar’, ‘Tuleu gras’ and ‘Pescarus’ grafted on cherry plum (Prunus cerasifera Ehrh.) rootstock. This research was aimed to determine the anatomical structure of graft union in some graft combinations of plum using the chip-budding grafting technique. The study was carried out in 2007-2009 at the University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Iasi Experimental orchard. Tissue samples from graft unions were taken one year after grafting and fixed in formalin/ glacial acetic acid/ethanol solution. Scattered brown necrotic layers were observed, as a result of enzymatic reactions in the junctional tissue. By analyzing the pattern of vascular tissues development we can estimate the compatibility of the graft combina¬tion and control the grafting process. The results could be beneficial in nursery plant production for new rootstocks selections.
Grădinariu, G., Zlati, C., Istrate , M. and Draghia, L. (2011). IMPROVEMENT OF GRAFTING UNION IN PLUM BY STUDYING GRAFT ANATOMY. Acta Hortic. 923, 283-290
DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2011.923.42
https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2011.923.42
Prunus cerasifera, plum, grafting, rootstock, compatibility, anatomy
English

Acta Horticulturae