Layering is a plant propagation method where roots form on aerial plant parts still attached to the parent plant. There are several types of layering including simple layering, compound layering, mound layering, air layering, and trench layering. In air layering, the bark is removed from a branch and wrapped in sphagnum moss to induce rooting. Once roots form, the new plant is separated from the parent. Grafting involves joining a scion wood cutting to a rootstock plant so they will grow together. Common grafting methods include whip grafting, cleft grafting, wedge grafting, and side grafting. Budding is a type of grafting where a single bud is inserted

1. Introduction:
• In Layering method of plant propagation, roots are produced on an
aerial plant parts like stem/branches. Rooted layer is then detached
and planted as an independent plant.
• Layering method has a high success rate and produces large number
of plants. It as an important method of propagation in fruit crops.
Air Layering in Guava

6. Methods of Layering:
• A growing branch of fruit trees is given a
tongue shaped upward cut and bent to the
ground.
• Cut portion of the branch is buried in soil,
leaving the terminal branch exposed in air.
• Rooting takes place at the wounded part of
branch after which the layer is separated from
mother plant using sharp knife. e.g. Guava.
Simple or Tongue Layering:
Simple Layering
Tongue Layering

7. Compound / Serpentine Layering
• Compound layering is similar to simple layering
except that the branch is alternately buried in
soil / growing media and exposed along its
length.
• Stem / Branch to be operated for compound
layering must be longer and flexible to be
layered at different locations.
• Creepers, Climbers and Vines like Grapes,
Clematis, Wisteria, etc. can be propagated by
Serpentine method of layering.
Compound Layering
Compound Layering

8. • Plant stems are cut back at the ground level during the dormant
season and allow them to sprout new shoots.
• Circular ring of bark is removed from the tender shoots and the
wound is treated with plant growth regulator like Indole-3-Butyric
Acid ( IBA).
• Wound on shoot is buried in mound of soil. Injured part of shoot
develops roots and are separated from mother plant. e.g. Apple
Mound / Stool Layering

10. • Air layering is method of root formation on aerial
plant parts / shoots.
• Circular bark on branch is removed and rooting
medium like sphagnum moss is tied on branch.
• Roots initiate on the upper side of the wound
where Sphagnum moss supply moisture till root
initiation. e.g. Pomegranate
Air or Gooty Layering:
Air Layering
Air Layering

12. • Selected branch of plant is bent in a shallow
trench in horizontal position and shoots are
covered in soil for rooting.
• Rooted layers are separated from mother
plants and planted in a nursery.
• Trench layering is successful in woody fruit
crop species like Apple, Pear, Cherry etc.
Trench Layering
Trench Layering
Trench Layering

14. Tip Layering:
• In tip layering, rooting takes place near the tip
of current season growth. Shoot tips are
buried 2 to 5 cm deep in soil.
• These shoot tips grow upward to produce a
bend in the stem and roots initiate at the
curve of stem.
• Rooted tips are separated from the mother
plant and maintain in nursery or planted in
field. e.g. Blackberries, Raspberries.
Tip Layering
Selection of Shoot for Layering

20. Grafted and Budded Plants
Species Graft/bud Type
• apples chip, T-bud, cleft
• conifers side veneer
• pecans patch
• roses T-bud (shield)
• grapes modified wedge

21. Types of Grafting
• Whip/Splice/Tongue grafting
• Cleft/Split grafting
• Side-veneer grafting
• Wedge grating
• Approach grafting

22. Whip/Splice/Tongue Grafting….
• The stock and scion should be of equal diameter
• A slanting cut of about 3 -5 cm long is made at the
top of the root stock and a similar cut is made at the
bottom of the scion.
• The scion is then slipped into the stock so that the
tongues interlock and the cambium of the stock and
scion are in close contact. These portions are then
tied and wrapped with grafting tape.

24. CLEFT/SPLIT GRAFTING…
• Useful for grafting older plants with thick stem
• The stock is cut at an appropriate height
• A vertical split for a distance of 7 – 9 cm down
the centre of the stock is made.
• Basal end of each scion should be cut into a
sloping wedge (about 5 cm long).
• Scions are inserted in the sides of the vertical
split so that the cambium layer of the stock
matches with the scion and secured tightly with
waxed cloth

26. WEDGE GRAFTING….
• Done in late winter or early spring before the bark
begins to slip.
• A 5 cm long “V” shaped wedge is cut on the side of the
stock (5-10 cm)
• The basal ends of the scion should be cut into a “V”
shaped wedge , matching the opening in the stock
• The scion is inserted into the “V” shaped opening in
the stock in such a way that the cambium of the stock
and scion are closely matched .
• All the cut surfaces are covered with grafting wax.

28. SIDE/VENEER GRAFTING
• The thickness of the stock is usually more than
the scion.
• A long shallow cut of 2 – 3 cm long is made on
one side of the stem of root stock.
• A long shallow cut is made on one side of the
stem of scion.
• The cuts on the stock and scion should be of the
same length and width.
• The scion is inserted into the stock – the
cambium of stock & scion should match at least
along one side
• Tie with polyethylene tape.

30. APPROACH GRAFTING…
• Two independent plants are grafted together.
• After the grafting union, the top of the root
stock plant is removed above the graft and the
base of the scion plant is removed below the
graft gradually to prevent the sudden shock of
separation.
• Egs: Mango, Sapota, Litchi

32. Budding…..
• A form of grafting in which a single vegetative
bud is taken from one plant (scion) and
inserted into the stem tissue of another (root
stock) so that the two will unite and grow
together.
• The inserted bud develop into new shoot.

33. TYPES OF BUDDING
• T- budding/Shield budding
• Patch budding
• Chip budding

34. T- budding….
• Select stock & scion (bud stick)
• Select a suitable inter-nodal smooth bark (15 -20
cm from the ground level)
• Give T shaped cut (bark only) on stock
• The scion bud is removed in the form of a shield.
• Insert the bud between the flaps of bark on the
stock
• Wrap the bud and stock firmly in such a way that
the bud is fully exposed.

36. Patch Budding
• A rectangular patch of bark is completely
removed from the stock
• On the scion, make similar dimension patch as
above and remove the bark patch with the
bud.
• Insert the bud patch on the stock
• Wrap the bud joint with budding tape,
exposing the bud.

38. Chip Budding
• Done when the bark does not slip well.
• A chip of bark , 2.5 – 3 cm long is removed from a
smooth portion of inter-node of the stock.
• Another chip of the same size and shape with a
bud is removed from the scion and placed on the
stock.
• Wrap it exposing the bud
• Stock is cut back when the union is complete and
the bud starts growing
• Used in Citrus, Apple etc