LAUSR

Grafting is an asexual method of reproducing fruit plants. The selection of proper rootstock and suitable variety is imperative in order to assure scion and root stock compatibility. Therefore, the present experiment was carried out to evaluate the comparative study on compatibility and growth response of pear varieties on different rootstocks at nurseryof the Agricultural Research Institute (North), Mingora Swat, Pakistan during the year 2014. Six pear cultivars (four exotic such as William, Santa Maria, Hosuai and Shinsui and two indigenous such as Khan Tango and Shaghuri) were grafted on two rootstocks (Quince and Pyrus pashia L., locally known as tangai).Pear varieties, rootstocks and their interaction showed significant variation for all the studied attributes. Variety William showed higher graft take success %, plant height, number of shoots plant-1 and survival percentage. However, lower number of graft take success %, plant height, plant diameter, number of shoots plant-1 and survival percentage were observed on Quince rootstocks. It was concluded that pear variety William could be grafted on Quince rootstock for high graft take success and better growth response. Keywords: Grafting; Pear varieties; Rootstocks; Survival http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2017.60026