Propagation

• In India citrus trees are propagated both by seeds and vegetative means.
  
  
• Seed propagation is still practiced in the case of acid limes and to produce rootstocks for budding purposes.
  
  
• Shield or T budding is the most commonly used method of vegetative propagation.
  
  
• Budding is generally done either in spring or in September.

• In this method of propagation, a bud from desired variety (scion) is transferred on the rootstock with an objective of utilising the vigorous root system of the rootstock and combining the best characters of both.
  
  
• A plump, but not too elongated bud is selected from the middle section of the scion shoot. It is removed by making an incision around the bud with the help of sharp budding knife.
  
  
• On the selected rootstock T-shaped incision is made just enough to accommodate the bud. The bud is inserted in the incision and tied with a strip of plastic film in such a way that the tip of the eye remains open.
  
  
• Budding should be preferably done as low as possible on the rootstock.
  
  
• It takes three to four weeks for the bud to unite when the new shoot from the grafted bud is about 10 cm long the top portion of the stalk above the union is cut off and the plastic film is removed.
  
  
• For budding, proper selection of the rootstock is very important as it contributes to the vigour, productivity and quality of fruits.
  
  
• It also influences resistance and tolerance to certain diseases and pests and plays a major role on agro climatic adaptation