Avocado Grafting Project Report
1. Introduction
Grafting and budding are essential horticultural techniques used to propagate plants by
joining parts from two different plants so that they grow as one. In grafting, a scion (a young
shoot or twig) is joined to the rootstock of another plant, while budding involves inserting a
single bud into the rootstock. These methods are particularly significant in fruit tree
cultivation because they ensure uniformity, early maturity, improved resistance to pests
and diseases, and preservation of desirable plant characteristics. In the case of avocados,
grafting helps produce high-yielding, disease-resistant, and fast-maturing trees.
2. Project Objectives
- To demonstrate the practical application of grafting techniques in avocado propagation.
- To increase awareness among community members about the benefits of grafted
avocados.
- To provide a sustainable solution for improving avocado yields and quality.
- To build students' technical skills in horticultural practices, particularly in grafting and
nursery management.
3. Problems Identified in the Community
- Low avocado yields due to the use of unselected seedling trees.
- High susceptibility of local avocado trees to diseases and pests.
- Long maturity period of traditionally grown avocado trees.
- Lack of awareness and technical skills in advanced propagation methods such as grafting.
4. How the Project Will Solve the Problems Identified Above
- Introducing grafted avocado trees will reduce the time to fruiting and improve yield
quality.
- Using disease-resistant rootstocks will minimize pest and disease problems.
- Training and demonstrating grafting techniques will build local capacity and encourage
adoption.
- Enhanced fruit quality and quantity can lead to better household nutrition and increased
income through surplus sales.
5. Project Description (Species Planted and Materials Used)
Species Planted:
- Avocado (Persea americana), specifically grafting of scions from improved varieties (e.g.,
Hass and Fuerte) onto local rootstocks.
Materials Used:
- Rootstock seedlings (local avocado)
- Scions (from improved avocado varieties)
- Grafting knives
- Grafting tape/polyethylene strips
- Secateurs
- Labels and permanent markers
- Polythene bags (for nursery seedlings)
- Potting media (soil, sand, and compost)
- Watering cans and shade nets
6. Budget
Item Quantity Unit Cost (USD) Total Cost (USD)
Rootstock seedlings 100 0.50 50.00
Scion collection & Lump sum - 20.00
transport
Grafting tools Lump sum - 30.00
(knives, tape)
Polybags 100 0.10 10.00
Potting media Lump sum - 15.00
preparation
Shade net setup 1 40.00 40.00
Miscellaneous - - 10.00
Total - - 175.00
7. Project Implementation Plan and Procedures
Timeframe: 3 Months
Week 1: Preparation of nursery site and materials
Week 2–3: Sowing and nurturing rootstock seedlings
Week 4–6: Scion collection and storage
Week 7: Grafting of avocado seedlings
Week 8–10: Post-grafting care and monitoring
Week 11–12: Evaluation of graft success and reporting
8. Project Implementation Procedure
1. Nursery Preparation: Raised nursery beds were prepared and filled with a soil-compost-
sand mix in polythene bags. The area was shaded using a net to reduce direct sunlight.
2. Raising Rootstocks: Local avocado seeds were planted and grown until they reached the
suitable grafting height (about 30 cm).
3. Scion Collection: Healthy scions from mature, high-yielding varieties were selected and
stored properly to maintain freshness.
4. Grafting: The cleft grafting method was used. A V-shaped cut was made on the rootstock,
and the wedge-shaped scion was inserted, tied securely using grafting tape.
5. Post-Grafting Care: Grafted plants were watered regularly and monitored for signs of
success or failure. Successful grafts showed new growth within 2–3 weeks.
6. Labeling and Documentation: Each grafted seedling was labeled for variety and date, and
success rates were recorded for evaluation.
9. Evaluation
Evaluation was done based on the following criteria:
- Graft success rate (target: ≥70%)
- Growth performance of grafted seedlings
- Student participation and understanding (via assessments and group presentations)
- Community feedback on awareness sessions
Results showed a graft success rate of 75%, indicating good skill acquisition and proper
aftercare practices. Students reported increased confidence in applying grafting techniques,
and some community members showed interest in adopting the method.
10. Conclusion
The avocado grafting project successfully demonstrated how grafting can be used to
address key horticultural challenges in the community, such as low productivity and disease
susceptibility. Through hands-on learning and community engagement, the project
equipped students with practical horticultural skills and created a sustainable model for
improving avocado production. Future efforts should focus on scaling up production,
establishing community nurseries, and continuous training for local farmers.
