Methods of graft protection in the production of mango, avocado and macadamia nut nursery trees

Abstract

Different methods of graft protection were used in the production of nursery trees of mango (Mangifera indica L.) cv. Tommy Atkins, avocado (Persea americana L.) cv. Fortuna and macadamia nut (Macadamia integrifolia Maiden & Betche) cv. Kau 344. The materials used were polyethylene bag, paraffin, paraffin + vaseline, beeswax, parafilm and PVC film. It was verified that the parafilm promoted more successful grafts in avocados (80.3%) and macadamia nut (74.1%), followed by PVC film (53.4% and 41.7%, respectively). On the grafting of mango plants the parafilm, PVC film or polyethylene bags did not promote statistic difference to each other (59.6%, 50.2% and 50.2%, respectively). The rates of successful grafts to other materials were low if compared with the best treatment (parafilm). The parafilm promoted the best growing of the sprouts in macadamia nursery trees, besides coming off naturally of the grafts. It is concluded that in the mango grafting, the graft can be protected by parafilm, PVC film or polyethylene bags; in the avocado grafting, parafilm or PVC film can be used and in the macadamia grafting the parafilm must be preferred.