Effect of Cuttings Length and Propagation Method on Rooting Efficiency of Exotic Clonal Rootstocks of Apple (malus × Domestica Borkh.)

Apple is a fruit crop of global importance, require clonal rootstocks for its large-scale production. The availability of these rootstocks can be increased by successfully reusing the leftover portion of stock after grafting, successfully reusing these for propagation using hardwood cuttings, which is an easy and affordable method. This study emphasizes the significance of propagating novel exotic rootstocks (M9 T337, Bud 9, Bud 10 and Bud 118) of apples via hardwood stem cuttings of varying lengths (10, 12 and 15 inch) to determine rooting potential of these rootstocks in order to boost apple production during 2021-22. The rooting dynamics and development of apple clonal rootstocks were significantly altered by the varying lengths of hardwood cuttings. The results revealed that the combination having 15 inch cuttings length and M9 T337 rootstock was best by showing highest percentage of rooted cuttings (47.55