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Epicotyl (Stone) Grafting: This method of grafting is done on the epicotyl region of the young seedlings; hence the name epicotyl grafting. Eg. Cashew, mango etc.
Procedure: Select very young seedling about 10 days old raised in polythene bags of size (15 cmX22 cm). Cut off the top portion of the chosen seedling leaving 5-6 cm long shoot (epicotyl). With a sharp knife make a vertical, downward slit (2-3 cm long) at the centre of the remaining portion of the epicotyl. Select a dormant 3-4 months old terminal shoot of about 5-8 cm long from a proven mother plant as the scion stick. Cut the lower end of the selected scion to a wedge shape by giving slanting and inward cuts of 2-3cm on opposite sides. Insert the wedge shaped scion in the slit made on the seedling and secure firmly with polythene strips or tape. Water the graft regularly without wetting the graft region. In about three weeks the scion starts sprouting. If the seedlings are raised in sand beds they are uprooted (with stones) 15 to 20 days after sowing (when seedlings attain 10-15 cm height) and grafting is done as described above. The grafted seedling is then planted in polythene bags or pots keeping the graft union above the soil level and without damaging the stone. June to September is the best period for epicotyl grafting.