Question

Grafting is employed for a better and quicker yield of good varieties of
(a) Apple
(b) Citrus
(c) Mango
(d) All the above

Answer 1

Grafting is a type of vegetative propagation in plants where the two parts of related plants are joined and then grown as a single plant. Grafting is employed for a better and quicker yield of good varieties of plants that take years to produce fruits.

Complete step by step answer:
Grafting is a type of vegetative reproduction or horticulture technique in plants which is well exploited by the gardeners. In grafting, a plant is inserted into another plant, so as to be nourished by it and united with it. Grafting is especially successful in dicotyledonous plants, where the stem has a cambium layer. Some common plants that can be grown by grafting include apple, mango, and citrus.
- A graft requires two parts - rootstock and scion. The plant chosen for its roots is called the rootstock or stock. While the other plant chosen for its leaves, flowers, or fruits, is called the scion. The process of joining these two is known as inosculation.
- Rootstocks are usually selected of those plants which have a better rooting and transportation system. It should be diseased free with better resistance against insects and climatic conditions such as heat, cold, or drought.
- The scion should be of high quality and superior variety of fruits and bear vegetative characters that are commercially and aesthetically appealing.
- The vascular cambium tissues of the stock and scion plants must be put in contact with each other for their cambiums to form a connection. This will pave the way for effective grafting to take place.
So, the correct answer is ‘(d) All of these.’

Note:
- Grafting is usually employed in plants that are in continuous need for cross- pollination for seeds to set. In such cases, the scion of the male plant is usually grafted with the female plant.
- Many plants take up to 8- 12 years to flower and produce fruit. With grafting, this time period can be reduced dramatically. Thus, it is the most cost- effective method of growing a specific plant type commercially.