The Survival Rate and Growth of Grafted-Seedling of Durian (Durio zibethinus Murr.) Using 3 Rootstocks Ages and 3 Levels of Scion Buds

Abstract

This experiment was performed to determine the survival rate of grafted-seedling growth of durians using various ages of rootstocks and different numbers of scion buds. The study was arranged in a two-factorial randomized block design with three replications. The first factor was rootstock age (4, 6, and 8 weeks) and the second factor was the number of buds on the scion (1, 2, and 3 buds).  The percentage of the successful grafting and several growth parameters, i.e., time of bud break, length and diameter of new shoots were evaluated for three months. Data were analysed using analysis of variance and continued with the post-hoc Tukey’s test. The results showed that age of rootstock did not affect percentage of successful grafting, time of budburst, shoot length and shoot diameter. Likewise, the number of shoots did not affect the percentage of successful grafting, shoot length, and shoot diameter, but had a significant effect on bud bursting time (P<0.05). Scion that had three buds resulted in the fastest time of bud break (28.45 days).  The highest percentage of successful graft union was in the 4-week-old rootstock and scion with 2 and 3 buds (100%), the maximal successful also obtained in the 6-week-old rootstocks with 3 buds. The four-week-old rootstocks also gave the best result in the new shoot length and diameter.  Nevertheless, there was no interaction between rootstock age and the number of buds on scion in survival rate of grafted seedlings of durian.