Grafting Propagation Techniques of Red Sandalwood (Pterocarpus santalinus), a Precious Hongmu Tree Species

Abstract & Objectives] This article aimed to study the grafting propagation techniques of red sandalwood (Pterocarpus santalinus) , so as to provide technical support for the effective propagation of seedlings of this precious Hongmu species. & Methods] Based on the analysis and comparison of the growth performance of the Hongmu tree species introduced to China, taking 1 to 2-year-old Pterocarpus indicus seedlings as rootstocYs and single-bud stems of P. santalinus as scions, grafting was carried out from January to April using three grafting propagation methods, cut grafting propagation, skin grafting propagation and oblique grafting propagation. & Results]The results of several years of experiments show that in early spring, P. santalinus could be propagated well using the grafting propagation methods of skin grafting propagation and oblique grafting propagation, with survival rate over 80%. Modern grafting techniques are mainly used to improve plant traits. [...]grafting is widely used in plant propagation and breeding of new varieties114-16'. The healing of grafting interface involves traumatic response, physiological and biochemical processes, cell and tissue differentiation, signal exchange between rootstock and scion and vascular bunde reconnection &24 _ 26'. [...]the key to the success of grafting is the affinity of the scion and the rootstock. According to special experiments in a few years or sporadic grafting practices, when F. indicus is use as rootstock for propagating P. santalinus, the dfinity between the rootstock and the scion is good, and the method is feasible.