Philippine Journal of Science
153 (1): 113-120, February 2024
ISSN 0031 – 7683
Date Received: 19 Jul 2023

Grafting Experience and Shade Influences Graft Take of Avocado Scions

Ayarna Alex Williams1*, Adjei-Nsiah Samuel1,5, Tsukagoshi Satoru2, Ulzen Jacob1, Sintim Henry Ofosuhene3,6, Aduse Poku Samuel4, Bukari Musah3, and Nkansah George Oduro1

1Forest and Horticultural Crops Research Centre, School of Agriculture, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon LG 25 Accra, Ghana 2Center for Environment, Health, and Field Sciences, Chiba University, Kashiwanoha 6-2-1 Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0882 Japan 3Institute of Applied Science and Technology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon LG 25, Accra, Ghana 4Department of Plant and Environmental Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon LG 25, Accra, Ghana 5International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Accra LG 56 Legon, Accra, Ghana 6African Regional Postgraduate Programme in Insect Science, University of Ghana, Legon LG 25 Accra, Ghana

*Corresponding author: awayarna@ug.edu.gh

ABSTRACT

Avocado is an important tree crop grown in the tropics, including Ghana. Avocados are primarily propagated by seed into trees, which grow to provide shade for young cocoa trees and, subsequently, food and income. Cultivation of this crop as a monocrop is limited in Ghana; hence, there is a considerable risk of losing desirable genetic materials. There has been an effort by scientists at the University of Ghana to collect and curate available avocado germplasm to preserve, multiply, and disseminate to growers. Nurserymen have been tasked with germplasm multiplication through grafting. Unfortunately, the outcome of this grafting practice has been inefficient due to the high incidence of grafting failure. This study assessed the effects of the grafting experiences of four nurserymen under no shade, traditional, and adjusted shade conditions on the graft success of two avocado scions (Fuerte and Hass). The results of this study indicated that the absence of shade led to complete graft failure. Nevertheless, modifying the conventional shade to 70% using shade net resulted in a 10–20% enhancement in graft success. The success of grafting was found to be more associated with the skill of the grafters rather than their age or years of grafting experience. In general, the low graft success rate in avocados was most probably attributed to variations in the skills of individual grafters. Grafter A achieved a graft success rate of 23–29% higher than the other grafters, suggesting variations in the skill levels employed. Significantly (p = 0.05), graft success was higher in the Fuerte cultivar than in the Hass cultivar.