Unveiling Key Factors in Walnut Grafting Success: The Impact of Grafter Skill and Budding Method

Subject Areas : Horticultural science

Rasoul Sadeghi-Majd ¹ , Mahmoud Roozban ^{2 *} , Saadat Sarikhani ³ , Maryam Nowrouzi ⁴ , Kourosh Vahdati ^{5 *}

1 - Department of Horticulture, College of Aburaihan, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
2 - Department of Horticulture, College of Aburaihan, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
3 - Department of Horticulture, College of Aburaihan, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
4 - Department of Horticulture, College of Aburaihan, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
5 - Department of Horticulture, College of Aburaihan, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

Received: 2024-12-16 Accepted : 2025-02-02 Published : 2025-08-29

Keywords: Flute budding, Grafter expertise, Grafting success, Persian walnut, Vegetative propagation,

Abstract :

Achieving reliable grafting success in Persian walnut (Juglans regia L.) remains challenging due to complex environmental and technical factors. This study examines how the skill of the grafter and the budding technique affect grafting results, offering valuable insights for enhancing walnut propagation practices. We compared two budding methods—patch and flute—applied by grafters with varied experience levels. Results reveal that flute budding, performed by experienced grafters, significantly enhanced callus formation quality, bud take, and overall graft survival rates. The flute method yielded a 94.4% bud-take rate and a 90% graft survival, outperforming patch budding, which achieved 90% and 81.1%, respectively. Notably, the combination of flute budding and the most skilled grafter reached a 100% survival rate, underscoring the impact of technique and expertise on propagation success. These findings highlight grafter proficiency as a key factor in walnut grafting, suggesting that targeted training and the adoption of flute budding could improve propagation efficiency. This study contributes valuable knowledge to walnut propagation, proposing straightforward protocols to enhance the success of vegetative propagation in commercial and research settings.

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