Influence of grafting season and environment on leaf emergence dynamics and biomass accumulation in ber (Ziziphus mauritiana Lamk) cultivars

The present study investigated the influence of grafting season and growing environment on leaf emergence dynamics and biomass accumulation in ber (Ziziphus mauritiana Lam) cultivars Gola and Umran. The experiment was conducted at CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana using wedge grafting at eight different time intervals from the third week of January to the second week of March under polyhouse and open field conditions. Results revealed that grafting time, growing conditions and cultivars significantly affected leaf emergence and vegetative growth parameters. Grafting during the fourth week of February proved most effective, resulting in the earliest leaf emergence (22.14 days), highest leaf number at 60 days (21.94) and 90 days (69.90) as well as maximum fresh (39.83 g) and dry (19.07 g) shoot weight. Open field conditions generally promoted better vegetative growth, including higher leaf production and shoot biomass, compared to polyhouse conditions. Among cultivars, Gola exhibited slightly superior performance in terms of early leaf emergence and leaf number compared to Umran. Interaction effects were mostly non-significant, indicating independent influence of the main factors. The findings suggest that late February grafting under open field conditions is optimal for improving graft establishment and early growth in ber.