Survival rate and shoot growth of grafted Dahurian larch (Larix gmelinii var. japonica): a comparison between Japanese larch (L. kaempferi) and F 1 hybrid larch (L. gmelinii var. japonica × L. kaempferi) rootstocks

Abstract We grafted scions of Dahurian larch (Larix gmelinii var. japonica) onto Japanese larch (L. kaempferi) and F1 hybrid larch (L. gmeli­nii var. japonica × L. kaempferi) rootstocks and examined root­stock-scion compatibility by assessing the survival rate (SR) in two independent experiments. Scion overgrowth on the root­stock was not observed. SR was not significantly different among rootstocks due to large interquartile ranges (IQR) among clones within a rootstock type. Results suggested that the SR was more dependent on the clonal characteristics of the scion than on the growth vigor of the rootstock. Shoot elonga­tion of grafts on F1 hybrid rootstock was superior to that of grafts on Japanese larch rootstock. Selection of an appropriate combination of scion and rootstock may improve the SR of grafted Dahurian larch and shorten the cultivation period.