Effect of time of grafting and length of scion in Annona reticulata L. (Bullock’s heart)

Introduction

Bullock's heart (Annona reticulata L.) is an important dry land crop which is usually cultivated in homestead gardens in Konkan region. There are about 166 species in the genus Annona, of which a small number are extensively grown for their delicious fruits. Tropical America is the birthplace of Bullock's heart. The diploid Custard apple species Annona reticulata L. has chromosomal number 2n=14. Worldwide, there is a widespread cultivation of bullock's heart. It is grown for edible fruit throughout Southeast Asia and the West Indies (Jansen et al., 1991) [12] . Basically, it's a tropical fruit that needs a gentler temperature than Annona squamosa. It grows successfully to an altitude of 1200 meters. It favors a humid environment and is less drought tolerant than sugar apples (Jansen et al., 1991) [12] . The plant may thrive on a wide range of pH-range soil types. Since it cannot withstand water logging, it grows best in low-lying, rich, deep soil with adequate rainfall and good drainage (Lim, 2012) [16] . The fruit has 76.8% moisture, 1.4% protein, 0.2% fat, 0.7% minerals, 5.2% fiber, 15.7% carbohydrates, 0.01% calcium, 0.01% phosphorus and 0.006% iron, according to Gopalan et al. (1993) [8] . The insecticidal effects of an extract derived from the seeds were reported by Ohsawa et al. (1990) [20] from Japan. The need for Bullock's heart in local markets is growing, thus it is necessary to try methodical crop improvement, propagation and planting methods. Seeds are typically used for propagation, but budding can also be an effective method.

Materials and Methods

The experiment was conducted at Custard Apple Research Station, Ambajogai during the year of 2024-2025. The experiment was laid out in Factorial Randomized Block Design with twenty treatment combination and each treatment was replicated four times. Treatment involved date of grafting (1 st March, 15 th March, 1 st April, 15 th April and 1 st May) were combined with length of scion (6, 8, 10 and 12 cm).

The various observations were recorded at 30 days intervals to the period of four months. The statistical analysis of data was done according to standard procedure given by Panse and Sukhatme (1996) [21] . Following treatment combination were employed.

Results and Discussion

Growth Character Days required for sprouting Effect of time

It is obvious from the data in table 2 that the grafts made on 15 th March (G 2 ), took significantly the minimum (12.63) days to sprout followed by G 3 (12.69), G 1 (13.63) and G 4 (14.19), while the maximum (15) days were taken to sprout the grafts made on 1 st May (G 5 ). These variations could be attributed due to genetic makeup of scions which influences the histological as well as metabolic processes at graft union. The higher cell activity resulted in early sprouting of scion similar result was obtained by Kudmulwar et al.

(2008) [14] in custard apple. The variation regarding number of days required for sprouting of custard apple grafts has been reported by Khopade and Jadhav (2013) [13] variations in the range of 12.66 to 22.40 days for sprouting of custard apple grafts.

Effect of length of scion stick

The data presented in Table 2 revealed that there were significant difference in days required to sprout the graft, when different length of scion sticks were used during the course of study. Significantly minimum (13.25) days were recorded to sprout, when 10 cm length of scion sticks (L 3 ) was used for grafting, while maximum (14.25) days were recorded to sprout, when 6 cm length of scion (L 1 ) was used for grafting. The results obtained by Purbiati et al. (1991) [21] and Gurudutta et al. (2004) [10] are in consonance with the present study.

Interaction effect

It is observed from the data shown in Table 2 that the statistical interaction effect between time and length of scion sticks were found significant with respect to days required to sprout the grafts. It was observed that the treatment G 2 L 2 , required minimum (11.50) days to sprout the grafts. On the contrary, Maximum (15.75) days were recorded to sprout the grafts when grafts were made on 1 st May with 12 cm long scion sticks.

Days taken for first leaf opening Effect of time

There was a significant difference in effect of time with regard to days taken for first leaf opening (Table 2). Minimum days (13.56) were recorded when graft made on 15 th March (G 2 ), followed by G 1 (13.69), G 3 (14.50) and G 4 (14.69), whereas graft made on 1 st May (G 5 ) took maximum days (15.38) for first leaf opening. The results obtained by Usare (2016) [32] are in consonance with the present study.

Effect of length of scion stick

The data showed in Table 2 revealed that there were significant difference in days taken for first leaf opening, when different length of scion sticks were used during the course of study. Significantly minimum (13.85) days were recorded to sprout, when 10 cm length of scion sticks (L 3 ) was used for grafting, while maximum (14.85) days were recorded to sprout, when 6 cm length of scion (L 1 ) was used for grafting. The results obtained by Purbiati et al. (1991) [21] and Gurudutta et al. (2004) [10] are in consonance with the present study. [6] who reported that, maximum leaf area (43.29) was found in jamun. Alam et al.

(2006b) [1] and Ram et al. (2012) [26] also observed significant differences in leaf area in grafts of different mango varieties.

Effect of length of scion stick

Leaf area significantly influenced by different length of scion sticks. Maximum leaf area (40.90, 46.90, 53.40 and 59.40 cm 2 ) was recorded in L 3 . While minimum (37.00, 43.00, 49.00 and 55.00 cm 2 ) leaf area was recorded in L 1 at 30, 60, 90 and 120 days after grafting respectively. This might be due to bigger size of the leaf. Similar results are in accordance with Nalage et al. (2010b) [19] .

Interaction effect

Interaction effect between time of grafting (G) and length of scion stick (L) was non-significant at 30, 60, 90 and 120 days after grafting. Maximum leaf area (47.

The data pertaining to length of shoot as influenced by different grafting time are presented in Table 4. After 30 days of grafting, there was significant variation in length of shoot. The highest length of shoot (8.94 cm) was recorded in G 2 followed by G 1 (8.00 cm), G 3 (7.06 cm). While minimum (6.44 cm) length of shoot was recorded in G 5 which was at par with G 4 (6.81 cm). After 60 days of grafting, there was significant variation in length of shoot. The highest length of shoot (13.44 cm) was recorded in G 2 followed by G 1 (12.5 cm), G 3 (11.56 cm). While lowest length of shoot (10.94 cm) was recorded in G 5 which was at par with G 4 (11.31 cm). After 90 days of grafting, there was significant variation in length of shoot. The highest length of shoot (17.94 cm) was recorded in G 2 followed by G 1 (17.00 cm), G 3 (16.06 cm). While lowest length of shoot (15.44 cm) was recorded in G 5 which was at par with G 4 (15.81 cm). After 120 days of grafting, there was significant variation in length of shoot. The highest length of shoot (21.25 cm) was recorded in G 2 followed by G 1 (19.75 cm). While lowest (18.19 cm) length of shoot was recorded in G 5 which was at par with G 3 (18.81 cm) and G 4 (18.56 cm). Maximum vegetative growth was observed in guava when grafted in August, according to Gotur et al. (2017) [9] . [19] .

Interaction effect

Interaction effect between time of grafting (G) and length of scion stick (L) with regards to shoot length was nonsignificant at 30, 60, 90 and 120 days after grafting. Maximum shoot length (11.00, 17.00, 23.00 and 26.75 cm) was recorded in G 2 L 3 . While minimum (6.00, 9.00, 12.00 and 14.00 cm) shoot length was recorded in G 5 L 1 at 30, 60, 90 and 120 DAG respectively. [31] .

Effect of length of scion stick

The data presented in [2] .

Interaction effect

Interaction effect between time of grafting (G) and length of scion stick (L) with regards to diameter of shoot was nonsignificant at [5] and Ghosh et al. (2010) [7] in sapota.

Effect of length of scion stick

The data presented in Table 6 has clearly indicated that different length of scion had significant effect on number of leaves per graft at 30, 60, 90 and 120 days after grafting. Grafting performed on 10 cm length of scion (L 3 ) produced highest number of leaves (14.00, 28.25, 35.75 and 38.10) at 30, 60, 90 and 120 DAG respectively. However, grafting performed on 6 cm length of scion (L 1 ) resulted in minimum number of leaves (10.75, 25.00, 32.50 and 34.75) at 30, 60, 90 and 120 DAG respectively. Similar results were obtained by Seshadri and Rao (1985) [29] and Gurudutta et al. (2004) [10] in cashew and mango, respectively are in agreement with the present findings.

Interaction effect

Interaction effect between time of grafting (G) and length of scion stick (L) with regards to number of leaves per graft was non-significant at [15] in custard apple (96.4%).

Effect of length of scion stick

The data presented in Table 7 has clearly indicated that different length of scion had significant effect on success rate at 30 and 120 days after grafting. Grafting performed on 10 cm length of scion (L 3 ) had highest success rate (92.55 and 89.10 percent) at 30 and 120 DAG respectively. However, grafting performed on 6 cm length of scion (L 1 ) resulted in minimum success rate (85.40 and 79.15 percent) at 30 and 120 DAG respectively. Ratan et al. (1987) [27] , Radhamony et al. (1989) [24] and Radha and Aravindakshan (1998) [23] also found the similar findings, which are in conformity with those of present study.

Interaction effect

Interaction effect between time of grafting (G) and length of scion stick (L) with regards to success rate was nonsignificant at 30 and 120 days after grafting. Maximum success rate (97.75 and 94.50 percent) was recorded in G 2 L 3 . While minimum success rate (78.25 and 71.50 percent) was recorded in G 5 L 1 at 30 and 120 DAG respectively.

The data presented in Table 7 in respect of mortality of Bullock's heart grafts was affected by different length of scion. Minimum mortality was recorded in G 2 (5.31 and 10.00 percent) followed by G 1 (7.50 and 12.00 percent), G 3 (10.69 and 15.81 percent) and G 4 (13.69 and 18.50 percent) at 30 and 120 DAG respectively. However maximum mortality (17.44 and 22.38 percent) was recorded in G 5 at 30 and 120 DAG respectively. Similar result reported by Mulla et al. (2011) [18] in jamun and Raghvendra et al. (2011) in wood apple, which confirms the present findings.

Effect of length of scion stick

The data presented in Table 7 has clearly indicated that different length of scion had significant effect on mortality at 30 and 120 days after grafting. Grafting performed on 10 cm length of scion (L 3 ) had minimum mortality (7.45 and 10.90 percent) at 30 and 120 DAG respectively. However, grafting performed on 6 cm length of scion (L 1 ) resulted in maximum mortality (14.60 and 20.85 percent) at 30 and 120 DAG respectively. Ratan et al. (1987) [27] , Radhamony et al.

(1989) [24] also found the similar findings, which are in conformity with those of present study.

Interaction effect

Interaction effect between time of grafting (G) and length of scion stick (L) with regards to mortality was non-significant at 30 and 120 days after grafting. Minimum mortality (2.25 and 5.50 percent) was recorded in G 2 L 3 . However maximum mortality (21.75 and 28.50 percent) was recorded in G 5 L 1 at 30 and 120 DAG respectively.

The data showed in Table 8 in regards to time of grafting revealed that maximum length of root (27.00 cm) was recorded in the G 2 which was followed by G 1 (24.88 cm), G 3 (22.69 cm) and G 4 (20.38 cm) respectively. Minimum length of root (19.00 cm) was recorded in G 5 . The variation in length of root in cashew grafts has been also reported by Sardar et al. (1991) [30] and Roshan et al. (2013) [28] in aonla, which supports the present findings.

Effect of length of scion stick

The data showed in Table 8 in regards to different length of scion revealed that maximum length of root (23.80 cm) was recorded in the L 3 which was followed by L 4 (22.80 cm) and L 2 (22.65 cm) respectively. Minimum length of root (21.90 cm) was recorded in L 1 . Similar result was reported by Amrita et al. (2019) [3] .

Interaction effect

Interaction effect between time of grafting (G) and length of scion stick (L) with regards to length of root was nonsignificant. Maximum length of root (27.75 cm) was recorded in G 2 L 3 . However minimum length of root (18.22 cm) was recorded in G 5 L 1 .

Effect of length of scion stick

The data showed in Table 8 in regards to different length of scion revealed that maximum diameter of root (2.73 mm) was recorded in the L 3 which was followed by L 4 (2.10 mm) and L 2 (1.82 mm) respectively. Minimum diameter of root (1.58 mm) was recorded in L 1 . Similar result was reported by Amrita et al. (2019) [3] .

Interaction effect

Interaction effect between time of grafting (G) and length of scion (L) with regards to diameter of root was nonsignificant. Maximum diameter of root (3.50 mm) was recorded in G 2 L 3 . However minimum diameter of root (1.10 mm) was recorded in G 5 L 1 .

The data showed in Table 8 in regards to time of grafting revealed that maximum fresh weight of root (25.06 g) was recorded in the G 2 which was followed by G 1 (23.94 g), G 3 (22.34 g) and G 4 (22.97 g) respectively. Minimum fresh weight of root (22.19 g) was recorded in G 5 . Hussain and Bukhari (1997) [11] observed significant difference in fresh weight of roots in sapota grafts. Roshan et al. (2013) [28] also observed such difference in sapota grafts, which confirms present finding.

Effect of length of scion stick

The data showed in Table 8 in regards to different length of scion revealed that maximum fresh weight of root (24.63 g) was recorded in L 3 which was followed by L 4 (23.68 g) and L 2 (23.10 g) respectively. Minimum fresh weight of root (22.60 g) was recorded in L 1 . Similar result was reported by Amrita et al. (2019) [3] and Ashok et al. (2020) [4] .

Interaction effect

Interaction effect between time of grafting (G) and length of scion stick (L) with regards to fresh weight of root was nonsignificant. Maximum fresh weight of root (26.25 g) was recorded in G 2 L 3 . However minimum fresh weight of root (21.37 g) was recorded in G 5 L 1 .

The data showed in Table 8 in regards to time of grafting revealed that maximum dry weight of root (9.22 g) was recorded in the G 2 which was followed by G 1 (8.59 g), G 3 (8.19 g) and G 4 (7.13 g) respectively. Minimum dry weight of root (6.13 g) was recorded in G 5 . The similar result regarding dry weight of roots in aonla grafts has been reported by Roshan et al. (2013) [28] which support the present finding.

Effect of length of scion stick

The data showed in Table 8 in regards to different length of scion revealed that maximum dry weight of root (8.65 g) was recorded in L 3 which was followed by L 4 (8.00 g) and L 2 (7.63 g) respectively. Minimum dry weight of root (7.13 g) was recorded in L 1 . Similar result was reported by Amrita et al. (2019) [3] and Ashok et al. (2020) [4] .

Interaction effect

Interaction effect between time of grafting (G) and length of scion stick (L) with regards to dry weight of root was nonsignificant. Maximum dry weight of root (10.00 g) was recorded in G 2 L 3 . However minimum dry weight of root (5.50 g) was recorded in G 5 L 1 .

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