Enhancing nursery production efficiency through optimal epicotyl grafting techniques on walnut ( <i>Juglans regia</i> L.) under mid‐hill conditions of North‐Western Himalayas

ABSTRACT This study evaluated the impact of grafting methods and rootstock age on the efficiency of epicotyl grafting in walnut, which aims to reduce production time in the nursery from two years to one. Walnuts are globally valued for their nutritional and economic significance, but there are issues with walnut propagation such as low success rates and hence limited availability of grafted plants. This experiment compared nine treatment combinations in a factorial design, using three grafting methods (cleft, wedge and tongue) performed on 15‐, 30 – and 45‐day‐old epicotyls over two consecutive years. The study revealed that the wedge grafting method was the most effective technique for walnut epicotyl grafting, exhibiting highest linear growth, scion girth, number of leaves, leaf area, percentage of saleable plants and plant biomass. Additionally, grafting on 15‐day‐old epicotyls significantly enhanced bud sprouting, graft‐take success and saleable plant production while promoting superior plant growth. Interaction effects revealed that wedge grafting on 15‐day‐old epicotyls achieved significantly highest graft‐take success (88.40%) and saleable plants (93.52%). Strong positive correlations were observed between growth traits and saleable plants. These findings establish wedge grafting on juvenile epicotyls as a reliable and efficient propagation method, addressing critical challenges in walnut production and enhancing nursery efficiency.