Standardization of propagation techniques in sapodilla [Manilkara achras (mill.) fosberg] cv. Kalipatti under North Indian conditions

The present investigation was carried out at Punjab Agricultural University, Regional Fruit Research Station, Bahadurgarh, Patiala during 2018–19 with an objective to standardize propagation techniques and optimize time of grafting in sapota under North Indian Conditions. For this purpose, sapota cv. Kalipatti was used as scion and Khirnee (Manilkara hexandra) was used as rootstock. The plants were propagated by four different propagation techniques viz., veneer grafting, side grafting, tongue grafting and wedge grafting during the month of February to September at monthly intervals. The maximum graft survival was recorded in side grafting (62.22%) followed by veneer grafting (60.56%). The plants grafted during the month of June (61.67%) had a maximum average graft survival percentage followed by July (59.17%). The plants multiplied by wedge grafting had maximum plant height (50.53 cm). The plants grafted by veneer technique recorded the maximum shoot length whereas minimum was recorded in tongue grafting. The maximum number of leaves per plant was recorded in tongue grafting followed by wedge grafting. The study concluded that side and veneer grafting are promising techniques when performed in the month of June and July, respectively.