Stone Grafting

• Stone/epicotyl grafting is a simple, cheap and quick method of mango propagation with a success rate of 75-80%.
  
  
• For this purpose, stones should be sown in June-July on raised beds of size 1x3 m.
  
  
• The beds should e prepared by mixing soil and FYM in the proportion of 2:1.
  
  
• After germination, seedlings with tender stems having coppery leaves are lifted with stones still attached.
  
  
• The roots and stones are dipped in O.1 per cent Carbendazirn solution for 5 minutes after washing the soil.
  
  
• The seedling stems are headed back leaving 6-8 cm long stem.
  
  
• A 4-6 cm longitudinal cut is made running down through the middle of the stem.
  
  
• A wedge shaped cut starting on both sides is made on the lower part of scion stick.
  
  
• The scion stick should be 4-5 months old and 10-15 cm long containing plumpy terminal buds.
  
  
• The scion stick is then inserted in the cleft of the seedlings and tied with polythene strips.
  
  
• The grafts are then planted in polyethylene bags containing potting mixture.
  
  
• The bags are then kept in the shade protecting from heavy rain.
  
  
• The scion stars sprouting 15-20 days after grafting.
  
  
• Care should be taken to remove the sprouts on the rootstocks below the graft union during this period.
  
  
• July is the most suitable month for stone grafting