Grafting is a horticultural technique that involves joining two different plants together so that they grow as one. The upper part of the grafted plant is called the scion, and it provides the desired fruit or flower. The lower part is called the rootstock, and it provides the support and vigor for the plant.
Grafting can be used for various purposes, such as creating new varieties, improving disease resistance, enhancing productivity, saving space, or simply for aesthetic reasons. However, not all plants can be grafted together successfully. There are some factors that affect the compatibility of grafting partners, such as genetic relatedness, physiological compatibility, and environmental conditions.
Generally speaking, plants that belong to the same genus (family) or closely related genera can be grafted together more easily than those that are distantly related. For example, most citrus varieties (Citrus spp.) can be grafted onto each other without any problem . Similarly, most stone fruits (Prunus spp.) such as plums, cherries, peaches, nectarines, apricots and almonds can also be intergrafted . However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For instance, apples (Malus spp.) and pears (Pyrus spp.) are closely related but they cannot be grafted directly onto each other because they have different growth rates and flowering times. They need an intermediate rootstock such as quince (Cydonia oblonga) to bridge them together.
Another factor that influences graft compatibility is physiological compatibility. This means that the scion and rootstock must have similar growth patterns and responses to environmental factors such as temperature, light and water. If they are too different in these aspects, they may not form a strong union or may fail to function properly after grafting. For example, some tropical fruits such as mangoes (Mangifera indica) and avocados (Persea americana) can only be grafted onto rootstocks that are adapted to their climatic conditions. Otherwise, they may suffer from cold damage or drought stress.
A third factor that affects graft success is environmental conditions. This refers to the external factors that influence the healing process of the graft union such as humidity, temperature, air circulation, and pest and disease control. These factors must be optimal for both the scion and rootstock to ensure a good bond and prevent infection or desiccation. For example, some grafts require high humidity levels to prevent wilting while others need low humidity levels to avoid fungal growth. Some grafts need warm temperatures to stimulate callus formation while others need cool temperatures to prevent excessive growth. Some grafts need protection from direct sunlight while others need adequate light exposure for photosynthesis. Some grafts need regular watering while others need minimal watering to avoid rotting.
Conclusion
In conclusion, grafting is a useful technique that can create new combinations of plants with desirable traits. However,not all trees can be grafted together successfully. There are some criteria that determine graft compatibility, such as genetic relatedness, physiological compatibility, and environmental conditions. By understanding these factors, one can choose suitable partners for grafting and increase the chances of success.