Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2020) 9(11): 2133-2144 International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 9 Number 11 (2020) Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas.com Original Research Article https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2020.911.253 Studies on Inter- generic Grafting Compatibility of Ornamental Cacti R. Perumal, M. Prabhu*, M. Kannan and S. Srinivasan Horticultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India *Corresponding author ABSTRACT In cacti, grafting has become a commercial method of propagation to accelerate and hasten the growth rate of slow growing species, to ensure the survival of the plants with poor root system, to ensure the survival of genetic aberration of variegated and brightly coloured K e yw or ds cacti that lack chlorophyll, to accelerate the growth of plants for commercial use. With the above futuristic background, the present study on ornamental cacti grafting with all Cacti, Compatibility , possible combinations of two species of rootstocks (Hylocereus triangularis and Grafting , Myrtillocactus geometrizans) and five species of scions (Mammillaria beneckei, Intergeneric , Hamatocactus setispinu, Ferocactus latispinus, Echinopsis mamillosa and Gymnocalycium Ornamental mihanovichii) was carried out during 2017-18 at the Horticultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India to assess the Article Info compatibility of grafted ornamental cacti and its performance. Among the graft combinations, the success and survival percentage were found to be maximum in graft Accepted: with Hylocereus triangularis as stock and Echinopsis mamillosa as scion (90 % and 15 October 2020 100%) whereas it was maximum with Myrtillocactus geometrizans as stock and Available Online: 10 November 2020 Hamatocactus setispinus as scion (96 % and 100%). The results of grafting studies indicated that the compatibility was found to be good when scions like Mammillaria beneckei and Echinopsis mamillosa are grafted onto Hylocereus triangularis whereas Hamatocactus setispinus and Mammillaria beneckei are suitable scions when Myrtillocactus geometrizans is used as rootstock. Introduction xerophytic plant, have a peculiar beauty and attraction for their strange morphological Ornamental horticulture has attained characteristics for which it is widely used in importance to maintain the natural landscaping. The infinite, unique variations in environment which had been deteriorated due shape, size, colour of areoles and spines make to rapid urbanization during the past few the plants look more curious and interesting decades. India is bestowed with several agro- (Shewell-Cooper and Rochford, 1973). climatic zones conducive for production of sensitive and delicate floricultural products. Nowadays, cacti and succulents can be Among the floricultural produces, Cacti, a utilized in large-scale in landscaping industry. 2133 Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2020) 9(11): 2133-2144 These plants suit very effectively for both unusual distinct growth forms that get indoor and outdoor decorations. Rock garden developed on graft. Owing to the prevalence is an interesting feature in any type of garden. of un-preferable morphological modifications The appealing and captivating form of cacti, in majority of the cacti genera, they are make them a potential element in the field of generally hard to be preferred as garden plant landscaping. Despite their attractiveness, the or for interiorscaping. But, with the aid of hardness and the survival capacity of the grafting technology, species which are cacti, make them an integral part in attractive and thorny such as Gymnocalycium landscaping features viz., rockery, xeriscaping sp. and Mammillaria sp. can be grafted onto etc. thorny or hardy rootstocks such as Hylocereus sp., Myrtillocactus sp. etc., which helps to Cacti can be propagated by seeds, cuttings make an excellent indoor plant (Perumal et and offsets or grafting. Some species of al., 2018). With the above futuristic Ferocactus, Mammillaria, Melocactus are background, the present study on ornamental self-fertile and hence they form seeds whereas cacti grafting was carried out to assess the species of Astrophytum and Gymnocalycium compatibility of grafted ornamental cacti and are self-sterile and hence require artificial its performance cross pollination to achieve seed development. The case of vegetative Materials and Methods propagation is due to the prevailing constraints viz., slow growing nature and self- The experiments were conducted in the Glass sterility etc. (Bewli, 2016). Grafting, being an house, Botanical garden, Horticultural efficient mode of perpetuation of planting College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu materials in their true-to-type nature, offers Agricultural University, Coimbatore. many genera of cacti, a way of survival. It has Different genera of cacti were collected from been noted that, the ordinary mode of the Regional Plant Resource Centre (RPRC), multiplication viz., cuttings, layerings, Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The description of offshoots etc., are not found to be economical different genera of ornamental cacti (Family: and feasible for large scale production of cacti Cactaceae and Tribe: Cereeae) used in this like Gymnocalycium mihanovichii, owing to study is given below (Table 1). its achlorophyllous nature. Grafted cacti are now regarded as one of the most admired The experiment was laid out by Factorial ornamental indoor plants in worldwide. In Completely Randomized Block Design cacti, grafting has become a commercial (FCRBD) with ten treatments, each treatment method of propagation to accelerate and was replicated thrice and each replication hasten the growth rate of slow growing with three plants and details are given below. species, to ensure the survival of the plants with poor root system, to ensure the survival Factor I Rootstocks (2 levels) of genetic aberration of variegated and brightly coloured cacti (red and yellow caps) R1: Hylocereus triangularis that lack chlorophyll, to accelerate the growth R2: Myrtillocactus geometrizans of plants for commercial use, in order to keep cristate and monstrose forms look attractive Factor II Scions (5 levels) (Motlaghzadeh, 2007), to provide a handy tool in the hands of conservationists to save S1: Mammillaria beneckei endangered species and to attain some S2: Hamatocactus setispinus 2134 Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2020) 9(11): 2133-2144 S3: Ferocactus latispinus Results and Discussion S4: Echinopsis mamillosa S5: Gymnocalycium mihanovichii The success of grafting depends on the compatibility between the rootstock and One year old plant of the cacti genera was scion. A successful graft is based on vascular used as rootstocks. Healthy cacti plants were reconnection. The variation in grafting selected as scion materials. Care was taken success suggests that the change in amount while selecting the scion material to match the and time taken for callus formation and also girth of the rootstock. Flat grafting was the use of rootstock profoundly influence the followed and this method, a horizontal cut is rate of success. Success and survival made on both the stock and scion; and they percentage of the inter-generic grafts were should be more or less of the same width at found to be varying significantly among the the graft union. The scion is kept fixed on the rootstocks and scions. Among the grafted stock by giving a moderate pressure by tying plants, the success percentage was found to be the scion with the potted stock. In order to maximum in graft with R1 (Hylocereus achieve maximum graft success and growth, triangularis) as stock and S4 (Echinopsis the grafted plants were irrigated at weekly mamillosa) as scion whereas it was maximum intervals based on the prevailing micro with R2 (Myrtillocactus geometrizans) as climatic conditions inside the growing stock and S2 (Hamatocactus setispinus) as structure. For ensuring the compactness scion. Other reports with in vitro grafting between the rootstock and scion after grafting, studies of Opuntia ficusindica and the rubber bands used to tie the grafts Pelecyphora aselliformis as stock and scion together. After 3-4 days from grafting, the respectively, has revealed that the success bands were removed in order to avoid percentage was about 97 percentage when constricted growth. The rootstock sprouts apical portion of the scion was used as scion were removed at periodical intervals to ensure (Badalamenti, et al., 2016). The higher nutrient supply to the scions from the stock. percentage of survival may be due to active The plants were provided with soil drenching growth of meristematic tissues of both the of 0.5% (19:19:19) at fortnight intervals to rootstock and the scion, which facilitates assist the plant’s growth. The graft success callus formation thereby enhancing the percentage was calculated 30 days after grafting success. grafting and survival percentage was calculated 90 days after grafting. The height Among the scions used for grafting, and girth of the grafted scion was measured Ferocactus latispinus has recorded the lowest from the graft union on the rootstock to the tip success percentage owing to its lignified of the scion at monthly intervals. The stems. This poor success percentage may be flowering behaviour and offshoots production associated with partial or total detachment of of the grafted cacti involved in the present the scion after grafting, lignification of the study