Shoot tip grafting in Nagpur Mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco)

Citrus trees are infested with about 15 types of viral diseases all over the world(Rajput and Sriharibabu, 1985). A time has come that almost all the citrus in the world are found hosting one or the other viruses. Viruses have been ascribed causing Citrus decline. Tristeza virus is one of the major factors behind the decline. It has wiped out the citrus industry in many countries including India.In mandarin, the infection of the tree incited by viruses and related pathogens have been a major concern worldwide.They take a heavy toll on production of mandarin and every year many million trees dry out. The rootstocks have prominent effect on the success of budding/grafting in producing plants free of biotic/abiotic stresses. A good citrus rootstock should have high degree of polyembryony, compatibility with the scion, adaptability to particular soil, tolerance to cold, drought and wind, tolerance to viruses especially tristeza, exocortis and ring spot, fungal diseases and nematodes.However, no single rootstock can fulfil all the criteria. Hence in present study three rootstocks viz. Rough lemon,Rangpur lime and Carrizo were selected and there impact on budding success was studied.