Rai S, Nepal A, Giri HN and Rai R, 2026. Grafting of kiwifruit under greenhouse conditions: efficacy of scion cultivars, wrapping materials, techniques and time of operations. Agrobiological Records 25: 51-59. https://doi.org/10.47278/journal.abr/2026.046

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Kiwifruits (Actinidia deliciosa) is gaining importance as a fruit crop in Nepal, yet its propagation is often constrained by low graft success and limited information on optimal cultivars, grafting periods, and wrapping materials. This study evaluated the effects of grafting time, scion cultivar, grafting technique, and wrapping material on early graft performance under temperate conditions in Chitlang, Nepal. A randomized complete block design was employed, including four scion cultivars (Allison, Abbott, Bruno, and Monty), four grafting times from mid-February to late March, three grafting techniques (tongue, cleft, and side grafting), and three wrapping materials (parafilm, green nursery tape, and transparent plastic), resulting in 144 treatment combinations with four replications. Cultivar significantly influenced sprout length, diameter, number of leaves, and days to sprout, with Allison producing the longest sprouts (20.85 cm), moderately thick shoots (4.60 mm), the highest leaf number (9.06), and relatively early sprouting (53.39 days). Wrapping material also had a strong effect, with parafilm producing the highest sprout length (20.72 cm), largest leaf area (45.71 cm²), and highest leaf number (9.23), indicating superior early vegetative development. Grafting technique and operation timing were generally not statistically significant. Overall, 46.01% of grafts successfully sprouted, and survival among sprouted grafts was 93%. These results suggest that late-February grafting with Bruno scions wrapped in parafilm promotes rapid sprout emergence and vigorous early growth, providing practical guidance to improve kiwifruit grafting efficiency and nursery management in Nepal.