1. Mango is propagated by various methods by nurserymen depending on success and preference of the growers in the region. Inarching grafting method is commonly practiced in western India. In-situ softwood grafting method is popular and effective in arid and semi-arid region. Stone grafting is most successful, easy, economical and quick method for mango propagation. Introduction

2. Selection of Scion: Scion stick or bud stick should be healthy with swollen eye buds and 10 to 15 cm length and of pencil size thickness. Leaves are defoliated 8 to 10 days before cutting for grafting. Procedure Make a slanting cut up to 5 cm to the bud stick and same length deep notch to mango rootstock seedling. Put the cut part of scion in the notch of rootstock and tie with 1 cm wide polythene film tape. Veneer Grafting

3. Season: Veneer grafting should be performed in the month of September to October After Care Grafted plants / seedlings are kept humid and moist condition. Scion shoot starts sprouting in about 3 to 4 weeks. Polythene strip should be removed after the success of graft. Grafts ready for planting in 3 months. Success rate is 75 to 80 %. Veneer Grafting

4. Stone Grafting Selection of Scion: Scion sticks with 7 to 8 cm long from current year growth from healthy mother plants should be selected. Procedure Stone grafting operation should be performed in July- August months. Vertical cut of 3 to 4 cm is given on the rootstock and a corresponding wedge shaped cut is given on the scion. Wedge shaped cut on scion is matched with the cut on rootstock and then tied firmly with a polythene strip.

5. Stone Grafting After Care Remove the growing shoots from root stock and inflorescence from grafted scion immediately after emergence. Remove the polythene strip when union is formed and protect the graft from hot sun, pest and disease attack. Advantages Survival Success is more than 80 to 90 %, Requires less time and this Method is very suitable for coastal region.

6. Inarch Grafting Selection of Scion and Rootstock: Select one year old at least two feet long and healthy rootstock grown in pots / polythene bags. Root stock plant and scion stock plant sticks should have equal thickness. It should be from current year growth and from healthy mother plant Season August-September is best season for Inarch Grafting.

7. Procedure: Arrange the root stocks and scion tree on some platform or mandapam and Mark the grafting locations on stock and scion. Remove 5 cm long, 1 to 2 cm wide & about 0.2 cm deep slice of bark along with wooden part from stock and scion branches. Bring the cut surfaces together, cover the joint with a banana leaf sheath and tie them together with soft threads and cover joint part with cow dung plaster to protect from rain water. Inarch Grafting

8. Water the plants as and when required. Cut the scion from the parent tree after 2 to 3 months when the wound has healed. One week after separating the plant from root stock, the part of the rootstock above the graft is cut off. Keep the graft in semi shading area to harden the graft before transplanting into the main field. After care Inarch Grafting