Hygiene in Modern Bench-Grafting

Abstract

Long-term investigations and experiments in modern bench-grafting at the Institute for Vine-Breeding and Vine-Grafting of the Hessian Research Institute (Geisenheim, West Germany) are reviewed. Treatment of grafting material with a Chinosol solution (8-hydroxychinol sulfate-potassium sulfate) has proven effective against Botrytis cinerea Pers., Phomopsis viticola Sacc., and other fungus infections and has significantly increased the successful take and rooting of grafts. The factors determining the success of the treatment were shown to be concentration, temperature, and contact period.

Found most effective for a prestorage treatment was a concentration of 0.5% and a soaking period of 15 hours at 10-18°C. Grafting material cut to length ahead of time can then be stored in plastic sacks at 1°C in the presence of free water. Chinosol is also effective in treating material freshly cut to proper length as well as one-year-old rooted grafts and cuttings.

Hygienic methods of paraffining and callusing are reviewed. Treatment with 0.05% Chinosol solution, as well as a new agent, is recommended. Recent experiments have demonstrated that sterile Perlite is the best material for topping-off the callusing boxes and that it can perhaps eliminate the need for grafting wax. Perlite allows a significant level of light penetration and the young shoots begin their photosynthetic activity earlier.