Basics of Brinjal (eggplant) Grafting: बैंगन की ग्राफ्टिंग
In this tutorial, we will know about some basics of brinjal or eggplant grafting. Grafted eggplant.
| List of contents |
|---|
| (01). Selection of rootstock |
| (02). Selection of scion |
| (03). Method and materials |
| (04). After care |
| (05). Hardening of graftage |
| (06). Transplanting |
| (07). Important points |
(01). Selection of rootstock
Baigan ki grafting (बैंगन की ग्राफ्टिंग)
See product description: Wild Brinjal Seed: Buy at Best Price
1.1: What is rootstock
Rootstock is a mother plant which is used in grafting of brinjal. For grafting, two different parts of the two same plant species are used to form a single plant. In this combination, one part is stem from one selected species of eggplant, while the shoot part from the other varieties of eggplant act as the growing portion. Hence a grafted eggplant has two parts, and in this example basel part is rootstock, and the another top growing portion is scion.
1.2: Why is the selection of rootstock so important?
Selection criteria
- Rootstock should be healthy.
- It should be strong.
- A rootstock should be resistant.
You need a healthy and strong rootstock so it can tolerate various factors which are considered harmful for the growth and development of the crop.
1.3: What are the required characteristics of a rootstock?
- Longer crop duration.
- Tolerant to insect-pests.
- Resistant to insect-pests.
- Tolerant to plant diseases.
- Resistant to plant diseases.
| Remark | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Crop duration | It should be longer than the commercial variety. |
| Tolerance against insect-pests | Rootstock should show tolerance against Insect-pests. It is the minimum requirement. |
| Resistance against insect-pests | Look for a resistant rootstock. Example: Solanum viarum (wild brinjal) shows tolerance against thrips and aphids. |
| Tolerant to plant diseases | Rootstock should show tolerance against some plant diseases. It is the minimum requirement. |
| Resistant to plant diseases | Look for a resistant rootstock. Example: Solanum torvum (wild brinjal) shows tolerance against the wilt disease of eggplant. |
The required characteristics of a rootstock are as follows:
- Vigorous rootstock: A rootstock should be very vigorous.
- Longer crop duration: The crop duration of a rootstock should be longer than commercial variety.
- Tolerance: It should be tolerant to various insect-pests and plant diseases. Example: Aphid and thrips.
- Resistant: It should be resistant to lethal plant diseases such as bacterial wilt, damping off and phomopsis.
1.4: What are the roles of a healthy and strong rootstock?
1.4.1: Acting as a strong stem against various plant diseases.
1.4.2: Acting as a strong stem against various insect-pests.
1.4.3: Acting as a strong stem for maximum production.
1.4.4: Acting as a strong stem for a longer production period.
Also read: Best wild brinjal plant species for grafting
(02). Selection of scion
2.1: What is scion?
Scion is a specific plant part from a mother plant which is used in grafting of brinjal. For grafting, two different parts of the two same plant species are used to form a single plant. In this combination, one part is stem from one selected species of eggplant, while the shoot part from the other varieties of eggplant act as the growing portion. Hence a grafted eggplant has two parts, and in this example basel part is rootstock, and the another top growing portion is scion.
A scion should exhibit compatibility with the selected rootstock. Scion and rootstock compatibility is very important for higher success rate. You can use a recommended variety of brinjal as scion.
You can find a compatible variety of eggplant over time by your own experience.
2.2: Scion and rootstock compatibility for grafting success percentage
| Treatments | 15 DAG | 30 DAG | 45 DAG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pataka on Solanum torvum | 91.33 | 82.22 | 77.20 |
| Pataka on Solanum incanum | 83.14 | 71.18 | 68.25 |
| Pataka on Solanum indicum | 47.64 | 12.24 | 0.00 |
| Pataka on Solanum macrocarpon | 86.71 | 77.37 | 73.84 |
| Pataka on Solanum viarum | 68.93 | 65.07 | 63.07 |
(03). Method and materials: Steps involved in eggplant (brinjal) grafting
3.1: Required materials
- Rootstock.
- Scion.
- Growing media.
- Plant trays or poly bags.
- Grafting tube, clip, tape.
- A sharp blade.
- Rootstock: Purchase seeds of wild brinjal from us.
- Scion: Compatible variety of brinjal
- Growing media: Use cocopeat for commercial varieties of brinjal. Soil + FYM is best for wild brinjal.
- Plant trays and poly bags: Good quality plant trays. You can use pro tray.
- Grafting clip, tube, and tape: Quality should be good. For example, Silicon tube is best for quick grafting.
3.2: Method: Procedure of grafting
Step 01: Sowing of seeds and germination
Seed treatment for good germination
Seeds of wild brinjal show a high degree of dormancy. We have to break the dormancy of the seeds for better and quality germination.
- Treatment 01: Soak the seeds in water for 1 day before sowing.
- Treatment 02: Soak the seeds in water. Use one of the following chemical to treat the seeds of wild brinjal:
- KNO3: Use of a 1000 PPM KNO3 solution as a moisturing agent.
Seed sowing should be done at morning.
- Depth of sowing: Sowing depth is 1 to 2 cm.
- Moisture content: The moisture content in growing media is 70%.
Step 02: Counting the day of grafting
- 1.5 to 2 month after sowing of seeds.
- Minimum diameter of a stem should be 1.5 to 2 mm for a better success rate.
Step 03: Procedure to be followed
Silicon tube
- Head back the rootstock just 4 mm below the cotyledon (cut should be slant).
- Cut the scion-plant just 4 mm above the cotyledon (cut should match the cut made on rootstock).
- Insert the silicon tube from the top side of the rootstock.
- Slide down it halfway toward the rootstock.
- Take your scion.
- Insert it into the vacant part of the silicon tube to make a near perfect contact with rootstock.
- Transfer your graftage inside a mist propagation chamber.
Spring clip
- Head back the rootstock just 4 mm below the cotyledon.
- Make a 5 mm vertical downward cut.
- Take a scion plant.
- Cut it just 4 mm above the cotyledon.
- Make wedge shape cut on scion.
- Insert the scion into rootstock.
- Align the graftage.
- Hold it by using grafting clip.
- Transfer the graftage inside a mist propagation chamber.
Grafting tape (film)
- Head back the rootstock just 4 mm below the cotyledon.
- Make a 5 mm vertical downward cut.
- Take a scion plant.
- Cut it just 4 mm above the cotyledon.
- Make wedge shape cut on scion.
- Insert the scion into rootstock.
- Align the graftage.
- Hold it by using grafting clip.
- Transfer the graftage inside a mist propagation chamber.
(04). After care
- 4.1: Protect the graftage from direct sunlight.
- 4.2: Protect the graftage from hot and fast wind.
- 4.3: Protect the graftage from rodents.
- 4.4: Protect the graftage from overhead irrigation.
(05). Hardening of graftage
Keep your grafted plant inside a mist propagation chamber for at least 21 days.
(06). Transplanting
Transplant the grafted plant after 21 days. You can transplant it inside a shade house or in an open field.
(06). Important points
- Height of grafting: 1.5 to 2 cm from the ground level.
- Length of scion: 2 to 3 cm.
- Healing period: 1 to 3 weeks.
References
01. Subba et al. (2021). Characterization of Solanum spp for Grafting and its Interpretation on Morphological, Production and Nutritional Quality of Fruit Under Polyhouse.