Standardization of grafting technique in Annona cherimoya Mill. (Lakshamanphal)

Introduction

Lakshamanphal (Annona cherimoya Mill.) is an important fruit crop belonging to the family Annonaceae and is cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Among these, the genera Annona and Asimina are important fruit-producing groups. Annona cherimoya Mill. is native to Central America and is a diploid species with a chromosome number of 2𝑛 = 14. It is cultivated in Southeast Asia, the West Indies and other regions for its delicious fruits (Jansen et al., 1991) [1] . The crop performs well under mild climatic conditions, with annual rainfall of about 600-1000 mm, mean temperatures of 15-25 °C and relative humidity of 60-70 per cent. It grows on a wide range of soils, although sandy loam to loam soils with moderate fertility and a pH of 6.5-7.6 are considered suitable. Flowering generally occurs during April to May, while fruits require approximately eight months to mature. The main harvesting period extends from August to November, although fruits may be available throughout the year under favourable tropical conditions. A mature tree generally bears about 25 fruits annually, with individual fruits weighing approximately 150-500 g. The ripe fruit is sweet and aromatic and is commonly consumed fresh. It is also used in fruit salads, sherbets, ice creams and beverages. Increasing demand for Lakshamanphal has created a need for improved propagation technologies. The crop is commonly propagated through seeds; however, seedlings are heterozygous and do not retain desirable characteristics of superior mother plants. Therefore, vegetative propagation is highly essential for producing uniform and true-to-type planting material. Budding, grafting and air layering have been attempted in Annona. Chovatia et al. (2000) [2] reported successful air layering using shoot ringing and suitable auxin concentrations. Hence, standardization of efficient grafting techniques, particularly grafting time and scion length, is important for rapid multiplication and successful establishment of superior Lakshamanphal plants.

Materials and Methods

At the Custard Apple Research Station in Ambajogai, the experiment was carried out in a green shed net house. Geographically, it is located in latitude 18°44° North, longitude 76°23°, and an elevation of 1500 feet above mean sea level. A part of the Marathwada region and the district, which is located in the center west of Sambhajinagar, are often more than 1500 feet above mean sea level. Eight months of the year usually dry, but the southwest monsoon season bringing rain. The warmest month has a maximum temperature of 40 °C. Beginning in mid-November, the low temperature drops to 12 °C. The region typically receives 950-1000 mm of rain annually between June and September.

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 (15 th December, 1 st January, 15 th January, 1 st February and 15 th February) were combined with length of scion (6, 8, 10 and 12 cm). Observations were recorded on various growth and grafting parameters including Days required for sprouting, Days for first leaf opening, Number of sprouts recorded at initial days, Leaf area (cm 2 ) recorded at 30, 60 and 90 DAG. Success rate (%) and Mortality (%) at 30 and 90 DAG. Fresh weight of shoot (g), Dry weight of shoot (g), Length of root (cm), Fresh weight of root (g), Dry weight of shoot (g) at 90 DAG.

The statistical analysis of data was done according to standard procedure given by Panse and Sukhatme (1996). Following treatment combination were employed. Leaf area (cm 2 ) correction factor for Annona species is (0.75), Success rate (%) and Mortality recorded by following formula.

Results and Discussion

Days required for sprouting Effect of time

The data presented in Table 4.2 showed that the time of grafting had a significant effect on the number of days required for sprouting of the grafts.

Among the different grafting dates, grafts prepared on 15 th February (G 5 ) sprouted earliest, taking only (12.50) days, followed by G 4 (12.69 days), G 3 (13.94 days) and G 2 (14.00 days). In comparison, grafts prepared on 15th December (G 1 ) took the longest period of 15.00 days to sprout. The differences in sprouting time may be due to the prevailing conditions at the time of grafting, which can influence the physiological activity of the scion and the formation of the graft union. When conditions are favourable, faster cell activity and better healing at the graft union may help the scion to sprout earlier. Similar findings were reported by Kudmulwar et al. (2008) [3] in custard apple. Khopade et al. (2013) [4] also observed variation in the number of days required for sprouting in custard apple grafts, with values ranging from 12.66 to 22.40 days. The present findings are in agreement with these earlier observations.

Effect of length on scion stick

The results presented in Table 4.2 showed that the length of scion sticks had a significant effect on the time taken for sprouting. Among the different scion lengths, grafts prepared using 10 cm long scion sticks L 3 sprouted earliest, taking (13.25) days was at par with (13.35) L 2 and (13.75) L 4 . Grafts prepared with 6 cm long scion sticks L 1 took the maximum time of (14.15) days to sprout. Similar results were reported by Purbiati et al. (1991) [5] and Gurudutta et al. (2004) [6] , which are in agreement with the present findings.

Interaction effect

The data presented in Table 2 showed that the combined effect of time of grafting and length of scion sticks had a significant influence on the time required for sprouting.

Days required for first leaf opening

The results presented in Table 2 showed that the time of grafting significantly affected the number of days required for the first leaf to open. Grafts made on 15 th February (G 5 ) showed the earliest leaf opening, taking only (13.50) days, was at par with G 3 (13.63 days) followed by G 4 (14.50 days) and G 2 (14.69 days). Grafts made on 15 th December (G 1 ) took the longest time of (15.38) days for the first leaf to open. The earlier opening of the first leaf in grafts performed on 15th February (G 5 ) may be attributed to the favourable temperature and environmental conditions, which enhanced cambial activity, callus formation and graft union development. Similar observations were also reported by Usare (2016) [7] , which support the findings of the present study.

Effect of length of scion stick

The data in Table 2 showed that scion length significantly affected the days required for first leaf opening. The minimum period (13.85 days) was recorded with 10 cm scions (L 3 ) was at par with L 2 (14.05), followed by L 4 (14.60). While maximum (14.85 days) was observed with 6 cm scions L 1 . The early leaf opening with L 3 may be attributed to adequate carbohydrate reserves, which supported rapid bud growth and leaf emergence. Similar findings were reported by Purbiati et al. (1991) [5] and Gurudutta et al. (2004) [6] .

Interaction effect

The interaction between time of grafting and scion length significantly influenced the days required for first leaf opening. G 5L3 recorded the earliest leaf opening (12.00 days), followed by G 3L4 (13.25), G 5L2 (13.50) and G 3L1 (13.75). While G 1L1 took the longest period (16.50 days). The early leaf opening in G 5L3 may be attributed to favourable temperature and adequate carbohydrate reserves, which promoted faster graft establishment and bud break.

Number of sprouts effect of time of grafting

Grafts prepared on 15 th February (G 5 ) recorded the maximum number of sprouts (2.88), which was at par with G 4 , G 2 and G 3 (2.69, 2.69 and 2.56, respectively). The minimum number of sprouts (2.38) was recorded in G 1 (15 th December). This may be attributed to favourable environmental conditions and better physiological activity of the scion. Similar findings were reported by Ghojage et al. (2011) [8] in jamun.

Effect of scion-stick length

The maximum number of sprouts (3.50) was recorded with 10 cm scion sticks (L 3 ), which was at par with L 4 (3.30), while the minimum (1.50) was recorded with 6 cm scion sticks (L 1 ).

Interaction effect

The interaction between grafting time and scion-stick length was significant. The highest number of sprouts (4.00) was recorded in G 5L3 , which was at par with G 4L3 (3.75), G 4L4 (3.50) and G 5L4 (3.50). The lowest number of sprouts (1.50) was recorded in G 1L1 .

At 30 DAG, the data presented in [9] , who recorded a maximum leaf area of 43.29 cm 2 in jamun. Alam et al. (2006a) [10] and Ram et al. (2012) [11] also observed significant differences in leaf area among grafts of different mango varieties.

Effect of length of scion stick

Leaf area was significantly affected by the length of scion sticks used for grafting. Among the different scion lengths, L 3 recorded the highest leaf area of (40.56), (47.10) and (53.50) at 30, 60 and 90 days after grafting, respectively. Lowest leaf area was recorded in L 1 , (36.95), (43.00) and (49.00) at 30, 60 and 90 DAG. Maximum leaf area observed in L 3 might have been associated with better leaf growth and development of the grafts. Similar results were also reported by Nalage et al. (2010) [12] .

Interaction effect

The interaction between time of grafting (G) and length of scion stick (L) did not show a significant effect on leaf area at 30, 60 and 90 days after grafting.

The data in [13] , who recorded 96.4 graft success in custard apple.

Effect of length of scion stick

The results presented in Table 4.8 indicated that the length of scion had a significant effect on graft success at both 30 and 90 days after grafting (DAG). Among the scion lengths used in the study, highest success was recorded with 10 cm long scions (L 3 ), which gave (92.55) and (89.10) success at 30 and 90 DAG respectively. Lowest success was observed with 6 cm long scions (L 1 ), recording (85.40) at 30 DAG and (79.15) at 90 DAG. The higher graft success with 10 cm scions (L 3 ) may be due to adequate food reserves and viable tissue, which promoted rapid callus formation, better cambial union and improved graft survival. Similar results were reported by Ratan et al. (1987) [14] , Radhamony et al. (1989) [15] and Radha et al. (1998) [16] , who also observed better graft success with suitable scion length in their studies.

Interaction effect

The interaction between time of grafting (G) and scion stick length (L) was not significant effect on graft success at either 30 or 90 days after grafting (DAG). However, the highest success rate was observed in the G 5L3 treatment combination, recording (97.75) and (94.50) success at 30 and 90 DAG respectively. In contrast, lowest success rate was recorded in G 1L1 , with (78.00) at 30 DAG and (71.00) at 90 DAG. The results indicated that the combination of a suitable grafting time with an appropriate scion length favoured higher graft success, although the interaction effect was statistically non-significant.

The data presented in [17] in jamun which are in agree ment with the findings of the present study.

Effect of length of scion stick

The results presented in Table 4 showed that the length of the scion had a significant effect on graft mortality at both 30 and 90 days after grafting (DAG). The minimum mortality was observed when 10 cm long scions (L 3 ) were used, with mortality of (7.45) and ( 10.05) at 30 and 90 DAG respectively. In comparison, maximum mortality was recorded with 6 cm long scions (L 1 ), which showed (14.60) and (20.85) mortality at 30 and 90 DAG respectively. Lower mortality in L 3 may be attributed to adequate food reserves and better physiological vigour, resulting in successful graft establishment. Similar results were also reported by Ratan et al. (1987) [14] and Radhamony et al., 1989) [15] , which support the findings of the present study.

Interaction effect

The results presented in Table 4 showed that the interaction between time of grafting (G) and scion stick length (L) was not significantly influence graft mortality at either 30 or 90 days after grafting (DAG). The lowest mortality was observed in the G 5 L 3 treatment combination, with (2.25) and (5.50) mortality at 30 and 90 DAG, respectively. Highest mortality was recorded in G 1L1 , which showed (21.55) and (28.50) mortality at 30 and 90 DAG, respectively. Thus, the G 5L3 combination performed better in terms of reducing graft mortality, while G 1L1 recorded comparatively higher mortality under the conditions of the study.

Effect of length of scion stick

The data showed in Table 5 in regards to different length of scion revealed that maximum fresh weight of shoot (28.05) was recorded in L 3 which was followed by L 4 (25.60) and L 2 (24.45) at 90 DAG. Minimum fresh weight of shoot (23.00) was recorded in L 1 . This might be attributed to the maximum scion height, number of leaves and leaf area resulting in a greater accumulation of glucose necessary for vegetative development of the plant and a higher shoot weight. Roshan et al. (2013) [18] in anola) and Pawar et al. (2018) [19] in custard apple observed a similar result regarding the fresh weight of shoots in custard apple grafts.

Interaction effect

Interaction effect between time of grafting (G) and length of scion stick (L) with regards to fresh weight of root was non-significant. Maximum fresh weight of shoot (29.50) was recorded in G 5L3 , was at par with G 4L3 (28.25), G 2L3 (27.75), G 1L3 (27.50), G 3L3 (27.25) and G 5L4 (27.25). However minimum fresh weight of root (18.25) was recorded in G 1L1 . The higher fresh shoot weight recorded in G 5L3 may be attributed to better graft establishment and stronger vegetative growth, which promoted greater photosynthetic activity and accumulation of assimilates in the developing shoots. Similar observations were reported by Pawar et al. (2018) [19] in custard apple.

The results presented in Table 5 indicated that the time of grafting influenced the dry weight of the shoot. Highest shoot dry weight was recorded in G 5 (14.36) followed by G 4 (13.06), G 3 (12.42) and G 2 (11.20). Lowest shoot dry weight was observed in G 1 , (10.48). The higher shoot dry weight in G 5 may be due to favourable environmental conditions that enhanced graft establishment, photosynthesis and dry matter accumulation.

Effect of length of scion stick

The results presented in Table 5 indicated that the length of the scion had a noticeable influence on shoot dry weight. The highest shoot dry weight was recorded with 10 cm long scions L 3 which was (13.19) followed by L 4 (12.55) and L 2 (12.01). Lowest shoot dry weight was recorded with 6 cm long scions L 1 , at (11.46). The higher dry weight with 10 cm scions L 3 may be attributed to adequate stored carbohydrates and better physiological vigour, resulting in stronger shoot growth and greater dry matter accumulation. Similar findings were reported by Pawar et al. (2018) [19] in custard apple, who observed higher shoot dry weight along with better graft survival and vigorous shoot growth under successful softwood grafting conditions.

Interaction effect

Interaction effect between time of grafting (G) and length of scion stick (L) with regards to dry weight of shoot was non-significant. Maximum dry weight of shoot (15.28) was recorded in G 5L3 followed by G 5L2 (14.47), G 5L4 (14.29) and G 4L3 (13.94). However minimum dry weight of shoot (9.57) was recorded in G 1L1 . The maximum value in G 5 L 3 may be due to the combined effect of favourable grafting conditions and optimum scion length, promoting better growth and assimilate accumulation.

Root character

The data showed in Table 6 in regards to time of grafting revealed that maximum length of root (26.42) was recorded in the G 5 which was followed by G 4 (24.56), G 3 (22.63) and G 2 (20.31) respectively. Minimum length of root (18.90) was recorded in G 1 . The higher root length recorded in G 5 may be attributed to favourable environmental conditions that promoted better graft establishment, nutrient uptake and root activity, resulting in enhanced root growth. The variation in length of root in cashew grafts has been also reported by Sardar et al. (1991) [20] and Roshan et al. (2013) [18] in aonla, which supports the present findings.

Effect of length of scion

The data showed in Table 6 in regards to different length of scion revealed that maximum length of root (23.50) was recorded in the L 3 which was followed by L 2 (22.70) and L 4 (22.55) respectively. Minimum length of root (21.95) was recorded in L 1 . The superior performance of L 3 may be due to adequate carbohydrate reserves and vigorous scion growth, which increased photosynthate supply to the developing roots. Similar result was reported by Amrita et al. (2019) [21] .

Interaction effect

Interaction effect between time of grafting (G) and length of scion stick (L) with regards to length of root was non-significant. Maximum length of root (27.95) was recorded in G 5L3 followed by G 5L4 (27.60), G 5L2 (27.00) and G 5L1 (26.00). However minimum length of root (18.24) was recorded in G 1L1 . The maximum root length in G 5L3 may therefore be associated with the combined effect of favourable grafting conditions and optimum scion length.

The data showed in Table 4.14 in regards to time of grafting revealed that maximum fresh weight of root (25.06) was recorded in the G 5 which was followed by G 4 (24.00), G 3 (23.41) and G 2 (22.91) respectively. Minimum fresh weight of root (22.25) was recorded in G 1 . The higher fresh root weight in G 5 may be attributed to favourable growing conditions that promoted better root development and fresh biomass accumulation. Hussain et al. (1997) [22] observed significant difference in fresh weight of roots in sapota grafts. Roshan et al. (2013) [18] also observed such difference in sapota grafts, which confirms present finding.

Effect of scion stick

The data showed in Table 4.14 in regards to different length of scion revealed that maximum fresh weight of root (24.63) was recorded in L 3 which was followed by L 4 (23.63) and L 2 (23.15) respectively. Minimum fresh weight of root (22.70) was recorded in L 1 . The superior performance of L 3 may be due to better graft establishment and vigorous plant growth, which supported greater root development. Similar result was reported by Amrita et al. (2019) [21] and Ashok et al. (2020) [23] .

Interaction effect

Interaction effect between time of grafting (G) and length of scion stick (L) with regards to fresh weight of root was non-significant. Maximum fresh weight of root (26.25) was recorded in G 5L3 followed by G 4L3 (25.25), G 5L2 (25.00) and G 5L4 (24.75). However minimum fresh weight of root (21.62) was recorded in G 1L1 . The maximum value in G 5L3 may therefore be associated with favourable grafting conditions and optimum scion length.

The data showed in Table 6 in regards to time of grafting revealed that maximum dry weight of root (9.28) was recorded in the G 5 which was followed by G 4 (8.53), G 3 (8.13) and G 2 (7.25) respectively. Minimum dry weight of root (6.06) was recorded in G 1 . The higher root dry weight in G 5 may be attributed to enhanced root activity and better utilization of available nutrients, resulting in greater dry matter deposition. The similar result regarding dry weight of roots in aonla grafts has been reported by Roshan et al. (2013) [18] which support the present finding.

Effect of scion stick

The data showed in Table 6 in regards to different length of scion revealed that maximum dry weight of root (8.65) was recorded in L 3 which was followed by L 4 (8.00) and L 2 (7.68) respectively. Minimum dry weight of root (7.08) was recorded in L 1 . The superior root dry weight with L 3 may be due to stronger root development and efficient assimilate partitioning towards the underground portion of the grafted plant. Similar result was reported by Amrita et al. (2019) [21] and Ashok et al. (2020) [23] .

Interaction effect

Interaction effect between time of grafting (G) and length of scion stick (L) with regards to dry weight of root was non-significant. Maximum dry weight of root (10.25) was recorded in G 5L3 followed by G 5L4 (9.37), G 4L3 (9.37) and G 5L2 (9.12). However minimum dry weight of root (5.25) was recorded in G 1L1 . The maximum value in G 5L3 may be associated with better physiological balance between scion growth and root development, favouring greater accumulation of dry matter in the roots.

Conclusion

Based on present investigation entitled "Standardization of grafting technique in Annona cherimoya Mill. (Lakshamanphal)", it can be concluded that minimum days required for sprouting, days taken for first leaf opening and mortality percentages, maximum number of sprouts, leaf area, success rate, fresh weight of shoot, dry weight of shoot, length of root, fresh and dry weight of root can be made successfully on 15 th December (G 5 ) and 10 cm (L 3 ) long scion sticks. Whereas, maximum days required for sprouting, days taken for first leaf opening and mortality percentages, minimum number of sprouts, leaf area, success rate, fresh weight of shoot, dry weight of shoot, length of root, fresh and dry weight of root were recorded when graft made on 15 th December (G 1 ) and 6 cm (L 1 ) long scion sticks. :975.43.

References

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23. How to cite this article: Jadhav M, Munde G, Ovhal S, Magar M, Bhujbal R. Standardization of grafting technique in Annona cherimoya Mill. (Lakshamanphal). International Journal of Research in Agronomy. 2026;9(9):997-1004. doi: https://www.do i.org/10.33545/2618060X.2026.v9.i9n.6632