Vol. 11, Issue 12 (2022)

The experiment entitled “Studies on the grafting success of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) on different rootstocks” was carried out at Hi-tech Unit, College of Horticulture, Dapoli, Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli, Dist – Ratnagiri (M.S.) during year 2020-21 and 2021-22 with nine treatment combinations and four replications under Factorial Randomized Block Design (FRBD). The factor 1 was Rootstocks: R₁ – Capsicum frutescens, R₂ – Pusa Jwala and R₃ – Konkan Kirti. Factor 2 was Scions (F₁ hybrids): S₁ – NCH-1901, S₂ – Sitara and S₃ – Jalsa. The grafting was done using splice method with the help of silicon grafting clips of size 1.5 mm and 1.7 mm. The girth of rootstock at collar during grafting showed the significant effect and the maximum girth was registered in rootstock R₃ (2.03 mm) while minimum was recorded in rootstock R₂ (1.82 mm). The girth of scion at collar during grafting also registered the significant effect with the maximum girth in scion S₁ (1.81 mm) whereas minimum in scion S₂ (1.74 mm). The effect of rootstock on the graft survival at 21 DAG was found significant and highest graft survival was recorded in R₁ (83.09%) whereas it was lowest in R₃ (81.50%). The effect of scion and interaction effect on graft survival were non-significant. The rootstock, scion and interaction effect on tap root length was significant and recorded maximum tap root length in R₂ (20.65 cm) and minimum in R₃ (15.41 cm) whereas effect of scion on root length was maximum in S₁ (19.45 cm) and minimum in S₂ (16.31 cm). The maximum tap root length in interaction effect was recorded in R₂S₁ (22.65 cm) and minimum in R₃S₃ (13.55 cm). The effect of rootstock and scion on number of adventitious roots was significant and recorded highest number of adventitious roots in R₃ (27.92) and was lowest in R₁ (22.61). In scion, the highest number of adventitious roots was recorded in S₁ (27.69) and lowest in S₂ (24.12). The interaction effect on number of adventitious roots was also significant and recorded highest in combination R₂S₁ (31.23) and was lowest in R₁S₃ (22.23).