Journal of Plant Biochemistry & Physiology
Open Access

Technique of Plant Grafting in Plants

Martina Curto^{* *}Correspondence: Martina Curto, Department of Plant Biology, University in Thika, Thika, Kenya, Email:

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Description

Plant grafting is a technique used by horticulturists and gardeners to join two different plants together, allowing them to grow as a single unit. This process is commonly used to create stronger plants, to improve the quality or quantity of fruit produced, or to propagate plants that are difficult to grow from seeds. The process of grafting involves joining the vascular tissues of two different plants together in a way that allows them to grow and function as a single plant. The vascular tissues of a plant include the xylem and phloem, which are responsible for transporting water, nutrients, and other essential substances throughout the plant.

To graft two plants together, a small piece of the stem, known as the scion, is taken from the plant that is to be grafted onto the other plant. The scion is then attached to the rootstock, which is the plant that provides the root system and lower stem of the graft.

There are several different methods of grafting, but the most common involves making a diagonal cut through both the scion and the rootstock, and then joining the two pieces together. Once the two pieces are joined, they are held in place with tape or a grafting clip, and then left to heal.

Grafting can be done with a wide variety of plant species, including fruit trees, vegetables, and ornamental plants. The benefits of grafting depend on the specific plants being grafted, but some of the most common advantages include:

Increased vigor and disease resistance: When two plants are grafted together, the resulting plant can often be stronger and more disease-resistant than either of the parent plants. This is because the rootstock provides a strong, healthy root system, while the scion provides desirable traits such as fruit quality or flower color.

Improved fruit quality and quantity: Grafting can be used to improve the quality and quantity of fruit produced by a plant. For example, a scion from a high quality fruit tree can be grafted onto a rootstock that is known for its disease resistance, resulting in a healthy tree that produces high quality fruit.

Propagation of difficult to grow plants: Some plants are difficult to grow from seed or cuttings, but can be easily propagated through grafting. For example, many citrus trees are propagated through grafting, as they are difficult to grow from seed.

Dwarfing or controlling plant size: Grafting can be used to control the size of a plant, or to create dwarf varieties of plants that are more suitable for small gardens or indoor growing. For example, dwarf fruit trees can be created by grafting a scion onto a rootstock that is known for its dwarfing properties.

Combining desirable traits: Grafting can be used to combine desirable traits from two different plants, such as disease resistance, fruit quality, or flower color. This allows growers to create new varieties of plants that are tailored to their specific needs.

While grafting can be a useful technique for plant growers, it does require some knowledge and skill to do successfully. It is important to choose the right plants for grafting, as not all plants are compatible with each other. Additionally, care must be taken to ensure that the graft is successful and that the plants are properly cared for after grafting.

In conclusion, plant grafting is a useful technique for creating stronger, healthier plants with desirable traits. Whether it is used to improve fruit quality, control plant size, or propagate difficult to grow plants, grafting is a valuable tool for gardeners and horticulturists alike. By combining the strengths of two different plants, growers can create new varieties of plants that are better adapted to their specific needs.