Effects of rootstock and scion on graft success and vegetative parameters of pomegranate

•Grafting is practical in pomegranate trees.•Type of rootstock and scion could be affected on graft success.•Phenol content of rootstock could be affected on graft success percentage and their survival.

There are inadequate formations on the application of rootstocks in the propagation of pomegranate. The aim of the study was effects of rootstock, scion on the graft success of pomegranate. Three pomegranate cultivars namely 'Gorj-e-Dadashi', 'Gorj-e-Shahvar' and 'Post Ghermaz-e-Aliaghai' were used as rootstocks and two cultivars 'Rabab-e-Neyriz' and 'Khafr-e-Jahroom' were selected as scions. Omega grafting technique was applied as stenting method. The following parameters of grafted plants were recorded: graft success percentage, mortality percentage, growth parameters and photosynthetic parameters. The results showed that rootstock type affected on graft success percentage so that the most graft success percentage was obtained with 'Gorj-e-Dadashi' rootstock. Also results showed that the most shoot length, shoot diameter and leaf area were obtained when 'Ranab-e- Neyriz' grafted on to 'Gorj-e-Shahvar'. Correlation between phenolic compounds, soluble sugar of rootstock and scion with graft success percentage and mortality percentage showed that there was a positive correlation between soluble sugar rate of scion with graft success percentage whereas the phenolic compounds of rootstock had negative correlation with mortality percentage.

Graphical abstractDownload high-res image (243KB)Download full-size imageOmega grafting procedures in pomegranate.