Evaluating the success of vegetative propagation techniques in loquat cv. mardan

Loquat cv. Mardan is a promising variety in loquat growing areas of northern Punjab and Khyber Pakhtoon Khwa. Loquat growers face serious issue of true to type plants availability. An attempt was made to explore different vegetative propagation techniques to find out most successful method for nursery industry. In the study propagation through cutting (during spring) and grafting during different suitable seasons (spring and monsoon) was examined. Cuttings were treated with different growth regulators to promote rooting. PBZ, IBA and their combinations were applied to the cuttings. Highest success percentage (40%) was achieved with PBZ. This limited success in rooting of cuttings was complete failure in getting plant survival at the end of the study. In the second phase of the experiment different grafting techniques i.e. tongue, cleft and side grafting were evaluated during two different seasons i.e., spring and monsoon. Cleft grafting in the months of March/ April proved to be most successful method in terms of success (70%), days taken for shoot growth, no. of leaves, shoots length, no. of branches. While in monsoon season side grafting was significantly better with a success of 85%. Overall, monsoon side grafting proved to be more successful than any other method. (author)