Effect of Budding Method, Rootstock Age and Cut below Budding Union on Budding Success in Persian Walnut

Abstract

Budding is a good method of propagation in the Persian walnut (<em>Juglans regia </em>L.)., However, success of budding is low due to higher root pressure as well as the presence of phenolic compounds in the xylem sap. This study was conducted to compare various budding methods and cut below budding union on two and three-year-old Persian walnut under field conditions. The experiment was conducted based on a completely randomized block design with three replications. The first factor of experiment was budding methods at three levels (T-budding, invert T-budding and patch budding). The second factor was rootstock age at two levels (two-year and three-year old rootstocks).The third factor was to make cuts in the rootstock below budding union at two levels (cut below budding and no cut below budding). The results showed that budding method and rootstock age have significant effect on early percentage of budding success. The highest percentage of budding success (100%) was observed in three-year-old rootstock with T and inverted T-budding as well as in two-year-old rootstock with patch budding and the least success were gained in inverted T-budding on two-year-old rootstocks (69%). The highest callus formation was observed in patch budding on two-year-old, which is not differed by cut below budding treatment. The least callus formation was observed in T-budding without cut on two-year old rootstock (38%). Budding methods have a significant effect on secondary success (survival) at 1%. Patch budding method with 69% survival compared to other methods had most secondary success. Generally, in this study, patch budding had more callus formation, primary and secondary success compared to other budding methods.