Effects of grafting method and height on the growth of grafted plants and production of feathers in spur-type apple cultivars at nursery stage.

Abstract: The effects of propagation method (tongue grafting, chip budding, shield budding and annular budding) and grafting height (15, 20 or 25 cm from the collar region) on the performance of apple cultivars Wellspur and Redspur as scions and crab apple as rootstock were studied. Tongue grafting and chip budding were conducted in March, whereas shield and annular budding were conducted in summer. Tongue grafting resulted in the greatest linear and radial growth of scion and rootstock. The linear growth of scion was significantly affected by the grafting height in Redspur, while the radial growth of scion and rootstock was significantly affected by grafting height in both cultivars. In Redspur, the linear and radial growth of the scion was greatest with 15 and 25 cm grafting height, respectively. In Wellspur, the linear and radial growth of the scion and rootstock was greatest with a grafting height of 15 cm. The method of propagation significantly affected the number of feathers in both cultivars. The distance betwe