Results Obtained Regarding Bench Grafting of Hazelnut Cultivars on two Rootstocks at UCV-SCDP Vâlcea

Abstract Hazelnut propagation has been done over the centuries through suckers, layers and later by grafting. The development and modernization of hazelnut cultivation as a result of the need to increase nut production and quality directly involves the mechanization in the orchard, but also improving the propagation of cultivars. Present study had the aim to evaluate the bench grafting behavior of several Romanian cultivars alongside with Tonda Gentile dele Langhe, on two rootstocks (C. avellana and C. colurna) using different grafting methods. Grafting was performed in March and was followed by callus stimulation in a hot – callusing device, ensuring a temperature of 26 - 27°C at the grafting point. Grafting on C. avellana rootstock using the whip and tongue method proved to be superior (82.34% symbionts with callus formation; 75.3% grafting success rate and 70.2% survival rate of grafted plants after one year), to other grafting methods (cleft and lateral grafting). On C. colurna rootstock, 56.6% of the symbionts had callus formation; the grafting success rate was 52.0% while and the survival rate of grafted plants after one year was 45.1%. The grafting success rates using whip and tongue method on C. avellana of Romanian cultivars ranged between 66.5 and 82.25%, while for TGDL was 78.4% and on C. colurna varied between 42.85 and 64.0%, compared with 46.7% for TGDL. The average growth of the hazelnut scions in the first year of vegetation after grafting was 35.2 cm on the C. avellana rootstock and 18.1 cm on C. colurna.