Scientists at the “Navbahor” Experimental Station in Dushanbe and the “Sughd” Experimental Station in the Bobojon Gafurov District are carrying out budding (bud grafting) to increase the number of fruit-bearing mulberry trees.
Budding is one of the most common and effective grafting methods in sericulture and mulberry cultivation. In this method, a single bud (“eye”) with a thin section of bark is taken from a selected mother tree and grafted onto the rootstock of another tree. Therefore, this method is also referred to as “eye grafting” or budding.
Budding is carried out twice a year—in April–May and July–August. However, the most favorable period is considered to be from the second half of July to the first half of August. During this period, air temperatures are favorable and sap flow in the trees increases, allowing the bark to separate easily from the trunk and promoting successful graft union formation.
The main advantage of budding over other grafting methods is the economical use of propagation material, preservation of sap flow in the shoot, and minimal damage to the tree.
In practice, 20–30 buds (“eyes”) can be obtained from a single shoot of a mother tree. This method causes minimal damage to the tree and increases the likelihood of successful graft establishment.
When collecting buds, the shoot of the mother tree should be healthy, vigorous, and have well-developed leaves. The leaves are shortened to 0.5–1 cm to reduce water loss through transpiration, while photosynthesis continues until the graft has successfully established.
On the rootstock, a T-shaped incision is made in the bark, with a length of 2.5–3 cm. The prepared bud is then carefully inserted beneath the cut bark.
The grafting site is tightly wrapped with polyethylene tape to prevent air from entering beneath the bark and to create favorable conditions for tissue union.
The graft establishment period usually lasts 12–15 days. After grafting, the trees should be watered regularly for at least two weeks.
Budding is one of the effective, economical, and simple methods of propagating mulberry trees. It is of great importance for increasing the number of high-quality seedlings, improving yield, and enhancing fruit quality.
