Bench grafting of pecans on seedling roots

Abstract

It was proved that it is possible to use bench grafting for pecan (Carya illinoensis), using as rootstocks roots of one year old seedlings. In one trial there was a competition between bench grafting and grafting on the seed-bed. The best result for bench grafting was obtained through conservation of the grafts during 25 to 30 days in moist sand at 26ºC, resulting in 60% survival. This number was similar to that obtained when the grafts were done in the seed-bed, with subsequent transplant to the nursery at 30th and 45th day from the grafting date. The root pieces used as rootstocks must be longer thant 12 cm. Roots with 9 cm resulted in only 20% survival. In all treatments, poor development of the plants after the first year in the nursery was observed.