Ascertaining wedge grafting time of wild mango seedling under subtropical conditions of Himachal Pradesh

This study was conducted at the College of Horticulture and Forestry in Neri, Himachal Pradesh, addresses the challenge of meeting the high demand of premium planting material. Focusing on wedge grafting, the research aimed to standardize grafting time under sub-tropical conditions. Randomized block design with seven treatments, T1 (First fortnight of August) emerged as the best time, exhibiting the shortest bud break duration (16.43 days), highest graft success rate (68.19%), and maximum graft survival (72.00%). T1 also resulted in maximum height (32.11 cm), number of leaves (15.02), branches (1.80), and scion diameter (7.60 mm). While T2 (Second fortnight of August) showed maximum rootstock diameter, T3 (Second fortnight of September). In conclusion, August, particularly the first fortnight (T1), was identified as the key month for achieving optimal wedge grafting outcomes in Himachal Pradesh, addressing the demand for high-quality planting material in the region.