The Effect of Grafting Periods on Graft Success in Topworking of Walnut

Abstract

In Turkey, the demand on walnut production is increasing everyday. However, Turkey’s walnut production is so low according to number of trees it has. Most of these trees are not grafted (seedlings), grafted with wrong named cultivar or not suitable for the region’s climate conditions. A lot of farmers tended to cut down those trees, but these trees can be graft by suitable cultivars. This study was carried out to determine the best grafting time for walnut in Samsun ecological conditions. For this aim, in 2014 (Tekkeköy district of Samsun) and 2015 (Alaçam district of Samsun) four grafting times (5 April, 20 April, 5 May and 20 May) were tested. In the study, graft success (%), shoot length (cm) and diameter (mm) were examined. As a result of the study, grafting times were statistically affected the graft success. The best graft success was obtained from the graft made on 20 May. Also, shoot length and diameter were affected by grafting times. The longest and thickest shoots were obtained from the graft made on 5 April. To obtain longer shoots and better graft success, grafting should be made in the early and without precipitation period.

Keywords: Grafting times, xylem exudation, Juglans regia L.