Vol. 12, Issue 3 (2023)

Author(s):
T Sumathi, M Elavarasan, L Pugalendhi and Dr. JE Adeline Vinila

Abstract:
The study was undertaken at Horticultural College ad Research Institute, coimbatore to identify the best performing perennial rootstocks for PKM 1 Moringa under drought condition. Among the seven rootstocks, moolanur moringa is identified as the best rootstock for PKM 1 Scion. The wedge method of grafting is standardized and confirmation studies were carried out with Histological method. Moolanur moringa has taken less number of days for germination (8.2 days), maximum germination percentage (79.4 days) on 30 days after sowing, less number of days taken for graft union (14.2 days), less number of days for attaining graftable size (25.4 days) and success percentage was higher on 15 days after grafting (51.2%) than other perennial rootstocks. The number of roots in grafted and non-grafted moringa plants was found to be significantly different ranging between 2.47 to 6.78. Among the rootstocks T₁ – Moolanur moringa produced the highest number of roots (4.65) followed by T₄ - Kumbakonam local (3.69). T₉ – Moolanur moringa produced the highest number of roots (6.78), root length (9.51cm), highest root weight of 0.37g and highest root volume of 0.69 cc. From this study it is concluded that Moolanur moringa is the best rootstock for PKM 1 scion and also wedge method of grafting is standardized.