Morphological Attributes Influencing Graft Success in Mango (Mangifera indica L.) Using Indigenous Seedling Rootstock of Bastar Region, Chhattisgarh, India

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is a commercially important tropical fruit crop widely cultivated in South Asia, valued for its nutritional richness, economic significance, and diverse end uses. Despite its importance, the heterozygous nature of the species necessitates the adoption of efficient vegetative propagation techniques, such as veneer grafting, to ensure true-to-type plants and improved nursery performance. The study aims to evaluate the nursery-stage growth performance of mango grafts under Bastar agro-climatic conditions. The present research was conducted during the year 2024–25 at the Department of Fruit Science, Krantikari Debridhur College of Horticulture and Research Station, Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh, India. The experiment comprised twelve mango varieties grafted on local seedling rootstock using the veneer grafting technique, laid out in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications. Observations were recorded at 30, 60 and 90 days after grafting on parameters such as scion girth, rootstock girth, rootstock length, plant height, number of buds per graft and graft survival percentage. Significant varietal differences were observed for all parameters. Among the treatments, Scented Goa (T₅) recorded the maximum scion girth (10.47 mm), rootstock girth (11.67 mm), rootstock length (44.67 cm) and grafted plant height (59.40 cm) at 90 days after grafting, along with the highest graft survival (84.43%). Similarly, Banana Mango (T₇) showed vigorous growth with scion girth (10.07 mm), rootstock girth (11.53 mm), scion length (14.93 cm), plant height (59.60 cm) and number of buds per graft (6.07), indicating better graft establishment. In contrast, Sundari (T₄) recorded the minimum scion girth, rootstock girth and plant height, along with the lowest graft survival percentage (60.00 %), reflecting comparatively weaker vegetative growth. The superior performance of these varieties may be attributed to better scion–rootstock compatibility and favourable physiological interactions under Bastar conditions. The study concluded that Scented Goa and Banana Mango are the most suitable mango varieties for successful grafting and nursery production in the Bastar region. The experimental data were statistically analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) under Completely Randomized Design (CRD).