Effect of some chemical material and germination media on seed germination and growth of grafted casimiroa transplants [electronic resource].

Includes references.

This investigation was carried out in the plastic house of Horticulture Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, Giza during two consequent seasons (2002 2003) and (2003 - 2004). The study was aimed to enhance growth of Casimiroa rootstock seedlings to reach grafting size in a short time, beside defineding the suitable method of grafting. In this concern, results revealed that seed soaked in MgSO₄ at 5 % for 15 min. and planted in media consists of peat and sand at 1 : 1, was increased seed germination percentage (92.1 and 94.8 %) and minimized the germination period (19.1 and 19.3 days), as compared with the other treatments. Thus it reached to the grafting size at a period of(179 and 180 days) in both seasons, respectively. However, Dormex (hydrogen cyanamide) treatment at 2% gave the highest root length (24.6 and 24.8 cm), and number of roots per plant (19.4 and 19.0). Results also showed that shield budding by using soft wood grafts, gave the highest percentage of success (69.2 and 72.4%), shortest period of bud / scion (23.0 and 24.0 days), highest values of scion length (26.5 and 25.7 cm) and highest leaf area (38.28 and 40.67 cm²). However, cleft grafting with softwood grafts increased average number of leaves per sprouted graft (6.0 and 6.6) and shoot scion diameter (0.6 and 0.5 cm). Generally, seeds treated with MgSO₄ at 5% berfore sowing in media consists of peat and sand at 1 : 1 in volume, induced healthy and sizeable rootstocks in a short time. Moreover, grafting rootstocks by soft wood grafts was the best method.

Summary in Arabic.

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