INTRODUCTION.

Overview of Grafting and Budding in Horticulture

Grafting and budding are vegetative propagation techniques widely used in horticulture, particularly for fruit
tree production. Both methods involve joining parts from two plants so they grow as one.

• Grafting typically involves attaching a scion (a piece of stem with leaf buds) from a desired plant
variety to a rootstock of another plant. The union is secured until the tissues grow together and form
a single plant.

• Budding is a type of grafting where a single bud is inserted into the rootstock. Common methods
include T-budding and chip budding.

Significance in Fruit Tree Propagation:

1. Preservation of Desirable Traits: These techniques ensure the propagation of fruit trees with specific
desirable traits such as high yield, disease resistance, or superior fruit quality.

2. Faster Fruiting: Grafted or budded trees usually bear fruit earlier than those grown from seed.

3. Disease Management: Rootstocks can be selected for resistance to soil-borne diseases and pests,
improving plant health.

4. Size Control: Certain rootstocks can control the mature size of fruit trees, which is beneficial for
orchard management and harvesting.

5. Compatibility and Versatility: Grafting allows the combination of different varieties or even species,
offering growers greater flexibility and innovation.

2 IDENTIFICATION OF ISSUES
Identified Issue in the School Community: Low Productivity and Poor Quality of Avocado Trees

In many school communities, especially those with agricultural programs or school farms, avocado
trees may be present but often suffer from low fruit yield, poor fruit quality, long time to bear fruit,
or susceptibility to pests and diseases. These issues reduce the educational value of the school farm
and limit the potential for practical learning or income generation from avocado production.

Selected Project: Avocado Grafting Project

 The Avocado Grafting Project involves teaching students how to graft high-quality scions from
improved avocado varieties onto healthy local rootstocks. The goal is to produce trees that bear
better fruits, more quickly, and are more resistant to local conditions.

How the Grafting Project Addresses the Issue:

1. Improves Fruit Quality and Yield:

Grafting allows the use of superior avocado varieties known for their high yield and better fruit
quality. This solves the problem of inconsistent or poor-quality fruits from seed-grown trees.

2. Reduces Time to Maturity:

Grafted avocado trees bear fruit in 2–3 years, compared to 6–10 years for seed-grown trees. This
benefits school programs by providing faster results for learning and harvesting.

3. Increases Resistance to Pests and Diseases:

By choosing disease-resistant rootstocks and scions, the project minimizes losses caused by common
avocado pests and diseases.

4. Educational Value:
Students learn practical skills in plant propagation, tree management, and sustainable agriculture,
enhancing their agricultural education.

5. Potential for Income Generation:

The improved avocados can be sold for income, or grafted seedlings can be sold to the community,
helping support school agricultural programs.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES
Avocado Trees Grafting Project – Objectives
1. Improve Avocado Production Quality and Yield
To produce avocado trees that yield high-quality fruits with better taste, size, and market value.
2. Reduce Maturity Time of Avocado Trees
To shorten the time it takes for avocado trees to bear fruit from 6–10 years (seed-grown) to 2–3 years
(grafted trees).
3. Promote Sustainable Agricultural Practices
To introduce environmentally friendly farming methods through vegetative propagation and reduced
chemical use via disease-resistant varieties.
4. Develop Practical Agricultural Skills Among Students
To equip students with hands-on knowledge and technical skills in grafting techniques and orchard
management.
 5. Enhance School Farm Productivity
To improve the productivity of the school farm for both educational and potential income-generating
purposes.

4 . PROJECT DESCRIPTION
During the avocado grafting project, the agricultural instructor explained that cleft grafting was one of
the most reliable methods for propagating avocado trees. He stated that the process began by
selecting a healthy rootstock and cutting it horizontally at the desired height. He mentioned that a
vertical cleft or split, about two to three inches deep, was made in the center of the rootstock.
According to him, the scion—a healthy shoot from a preferred avocado variety—was trimmed into a
wedge shape so that it could fit securely into the cleft. He emphasized the importance of aligning the
cambium layers of the scion and rootstock to ensure a successful graft.
The instructor further explained that once the scion was placed into the cleft, the joint was wrapped
tightly using grafting tape to hold it in position and prevent moisture loss. He added that sealing the
top of the scion with grafting wax helped protect it from drying out. He advised the students to
monitor the graft regularly and to remove any new growth emerging below the graft point to
promote proper development. He concluded by saying that cleft grafting was not only simple to
perform but also highly effective when done with care and attention to detail.

Budget
Item/Material Quantity Unit Cost (USD) Total Cost (USD)

Rootstock seedlings (local avocado) 50 $1.00 $50.00

Scion wood (improved variety) 50 $0.50 $25.00

Grafting knives or blades 5 $5.00 $25.00

Grafting tape (rolls) 5 rolls $3.00 $15.00

Grafting wax or sealant 2 containers $4.00 $8.00

Plastic nursery bags (for transplanting) 50 $0.20 $10.00

Potting soil/Compost 5 bags $4.00 $20.00

Labels and markers 1 set $5.00 $5.00

Item/Material Quantity Unit Cost (USD) Total Cost (USD)

Watering cans 2 $7.00 $14.00

Gloves (pairs) 5 $2.00 $10.00

Educational posters/manuals 5 $3.00 $15.00

Miscellaneous (transport, repairs) - - $20.00

PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION PLAN AND TIMELINES

Week(s) Phase Activities

Week 1 Planning & Preparation - Form project team- Assign roles- Finalize budget and materials list

Week 2 Material Procurement - Purchase rootstocks, scion wood, tools, and supplies

Week 3 Site Preparation - Prepare nursery area- Fill nursery bags with soil- Label seedlings

Week 4 Training & Demonstration - Conduct grafting workshop- Demonstrate cleft grafting technique

Week 5– - Perform cleft grafting on rootstocks- Label and document each

Grafting Implementation
6 graft

Week 7– - Watering, weeding, and inspecting graft unions- Remove

Monitoring & Maintenance
8 unwanted shoots

Week 9 Graft Evaluation - Assess success rate of grafts- Replace failed grafts if necessary

Week 10 Aftercare and Hardening - Gradually expose plants to sunlight- Continue routine maintenance

Project Review and

Week 11 - Document outcomes- Gather feedback from students and staff
Reflection

Week 12 Presentation and Sharing - Present project results- Display grafted plants- Share learnings

PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION PROCEDURE

School Avocado Grafting Project: Implementation Procedure

Below is a step-by-step procedure for effectively implementing the avocado grafting project in a school
setting:
Step 1: Planning and Team Formation

• Form a project committee including teachers, agriculture club members, and interested students.

• Define goals, assign responsibilities, and create a project schedule.

• Identify sources for materials (nurseries, agricultural suppliers).

Step 2: Material Procurement

• Purchase all necessary materials including:

o Rootstock seedlings

o Scion wood from improved avocado varieties

o Grafting tools (knives, tape, wax)

o Nursery bags, compost/soil, gloves, labels

Step 3: Site and Nursery Preparation

• Prepare a shaded nursery area with good drainage.

• Fill plastic bags with compost and soil mixture for transplanting grafted seedlings.

• Arrange bags in rows and label them for easy monitoring.

Step 4: Grafting Training

• Organize a hands-on training session led by a teacher or expert.

• Demonstrate cleft grafting technique, showing:

1. How to cut and prepare the rootstock and scion.

2. How to insert the wedge-shaped scion into the cleft of the rootstock.

3. How to bind the graft with tape and seal with wax.

Step 5: Grafting Execution

 • Allow students to practice grafting under supervision.

• Perform grafting on all selected rootstocks.

• Label each grafted plant with date and variety for tracking.

Step 6: Monitoring and Maintenance

• Water the grafted plants regularly.

• Remove any shoots growing from below the graft.

• Ensure graft area remains sealed and protected from pests and disease.

Step 7: Evaluation and Success Rate Assessment

• After 3–4 weeks, check for signs of successful graft union (new shoot growth from the scion).

• Record the success and failure rates for evaluation.

Step 8: Hardening and Preparation for Planting

• Once grafts are successful, slowly expose the plants to more sunlight to harden them.

• Continue basic care such as watering and weeding.

Step 9: Reflection and Presentation

• Have students document their experiences in reports or presentations.

• Share results with the school community through an exhibition or agriculture day.

• Consider planting some grafted trees around the school or donating them to the local community.

EVALUATION
1. Successful Grafts/Buds Percentage

• Calculation:

(2730)×100=90%\left( \frac{27}{30} \right) \times 100 = 90\%(3027)×100=90%

Result: 90% of the grafted trees were successful, which indicates a very high grafting success rate.
2. Survival Rate Percentage

• Definition: The percentage of grafted trees that remained healthy and alive after the grafting process
(usually observed over a few weeks).

• Assumption: All 27 successful grafts survived post-grafting (no mortality reported).

• Calculation:

(2730)×100=90%\left( \frac{27}{30} \right) \times 100 = 90\%(3027)×100=90%

Result: 90% survival rate, meaning most grafted trees established well and continued growing.

3. Growth Rate Evaluation

• Observation Metric: Measure growth over time, such as new leaf or shoot emergence, average
height increase, and scion development within 4–6 weeks.

• Sample Observation:

o Average height increase: 6–8 cm in 4 weeks

o New shoot emergence: 24 of 27 successful grafts showed active scion growth

Result: Growth Rate Success = (24/27) × 100 = ~88.9%

This indicates that nearly 89% of the successful grafts are growing at a healthy rate.

Overall Project Evaluation Summary:

Metric Result Interpretation

Successful Grafts (%) 90% Excellent grafting technique and aftercare

Survival Rate (%) 90% High resilience and proper maintenance

Growth Rate (Healthy Development) ~89% Strong signs of establishment and scion growth

CONCLUSION
Project Summary and Impact
The avocado grafting project successfully achieved its main goal of propagating high-quality avocado trees
using cleft grafting techniques. Out of 30 grafted trees, 27 were successful, indicating a 90% success and
survival rate. Students learned practical skills in plant propagation, nursery management, and agricultural
best practices. They also gained hands-on experience with real-world biological processes, including plant
healing and growth.

On a personal level, the project enhanced students’ confidence, responsibility, and teamwork skills while
deepening their understanding of horticulture. For the wider school community, the project promotes
environmental awareness, supports sustainable agriculture, and provides a potential source of income or
food from the grafted avocado trees. It also sets the foundation for future school-based agricultural projects
and serves as a learning model for other institutions.