Question

Why at the joint of stock and scion is covered by moist soil or a thin layer of wax during the grafting?

• A. To induce adventitious roots
• B. To check the loss of water
• C. To check the infection
• D. Both b and c

Answer 1

The correct option is D Both b and c

Grafting is a technique of joining a part (stem or bud) of a living plant to another, causing it to grow as a part of another plant.

Two related plants or trees are chosen, one receiving the bud or shoot (stock) and the other as a twig (scion) to be fixed on it. A branch or stem of the scion is removed by making a slanting cut. The stem of the stock is also cut in a slanting way. The scion is placed over the stock, and both the cut surfaces are fitted together and then bound together tightly with a piece of cloth.

As cambium promotes growth, ensuring that the cambium layer of the scion is in contact with the cambium layer of the stock. The joint is then covered with a polythene sheet to prevent it from getting infected by harmful bacteria, fungus and other disease-causing germs. It also prevents dehydration or loss of water and plant sap from the cut and joined ends of the stock and scion. When the cut or the union of the scion and stock heals, the two plants grow together and become a single plant.