The Effect of Whip Grafting Method on Grafting Success and Plant Development in Some Cultivars of Anatolian Walnut (Juglans Regia L.)

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of whip grafting methods on graft success and plant development (the length and diameter of graft shoot) in open rooted walnut plant production. In the study, scion woods of  “Chandler, Maras-18, Şebin, Kaman-1, Kaman-2, Bilecik and Şen-2” walnut cultivars and one year old walnut rootstocks  were used. The study was carried out in the open field and under shaded greenhouse conditions. Walnut seedlings were dug out in February and were taken burial in soil. Seedlings were grafted with whip grafting method in a room and planted in March. After planting, graft union was covered by soil within plastic bag and grafting wax was applied to upper side of scion wood. However, some graftings with Chandler clones were planted in the plastic greenhouse. Thus, it was also aimed to determine the effects of greenhouse condition on grafting success and plant development in walnut. Grafting success was changed between 59.6% and 98.8%. The highest graft success was obtained from Chandler cultivar produced both in the greenhouse and open field. There were no statistical differences between open field and greenhouse conditions in this cultivar. However, better scion shoot length and diameter were obtained in the greenhouse.