Effect of Scion Diameter on Success Rate of Softwood Grafts in Sapota (Achras zapota L.) Tanuja P., Thippesha D. Department of Fruit Science, College of Horticulture, University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga, Karnataka Online published on 15 December, 2016. Abstract An experiment was conducted to know the effect of scion diameter on success rate of softwood grafts in sapota with 4 treatments replicated five timesadopting Randomized Block Design during 2014 at the Research Farm, Department of Fruit Science, College of Horticulture, Mudigere, Chikmagalur district, Karnataka state. The scions of different diameters viz., thin to thick scions of Sapota were used for grafting. It is very evident from the study that out of four different scion diameters the relatively thick scions taken minimum number of days for sprout initiation (9.80 days), 50% sprouting (16.20 days) and 100% sprouting (24.80 days). Thick scions also recorded maximum number of sprouts at 30 (1.17), 60 (1.20) and 90 (2.10) days after grafting (DAG), maximum number of leaves and maximum length and breadth of leaves at 60 (6.70 cm and 3.57cm) and 90 (7.20cm and 4.10cm) days after grafting respectively. The maximum height of the graft at 30 (35.66cm), 60(36.30 cm) and 90(37.60 cm) days after grafting, per cent graft success at 30 (64.6%), 60 (62.00%) and 90(58.00%) days after grafting and maximum survival percentage (87.00%). Among different diameter of scions with more diameter showed the good results compared to the scions with less diameter. Top Keywords Sapota, scion diameter, softwood grafting, survival, success rate. Top |