Arvind Kumar

Nurse root grafting is a propagation technique where a cutting of a hard-to-root plant (the scion) is temporarily grafted onto a piece of root (the nurse root) to provide support and water until the scion develops its own roots. Once the scion roots, the nurse root is either removed or dies off due to graft incompatibility.

Nurse root grafting is practiced in peonies, including both tree and herbaceous varieties. It is also used for camellias and avocados.

Thanks!

A root graft, in the context of pot crops or reforestation, is a technique that aims to improve the growth and survival of plants. It involves grafting part of the root of a carrier plant (or an already well-developed plant) onto the root of a grafted plant, which is younger or less vigorous.

a root-nourishing graft is a technique that gives young plants a boost by allowing them to exploit the potential of the more robust roots of an adult plant.

This technique can be used in several cases:

In horticulture and vegetable gardens: To improve the growth of vegetables or ornamental plants in pots.

In arboriculture: To promote the recovery of young trees during reforestation or transplantation.

In the nursery: To accelerate the growth and preparation of plants for sale.

Hello,

Nurse root grafting refers to a form of natural or intentional root grafting where the root system of one plant (the “nurse”) becomes physically and functionally connected to the root system of another plant, typically a damaged, young, or stressed individual, providing it with water, nutrients, and sometimes carbohydrates.

This phenomenon is most commonly observed in forestry and perennial plant systems, where trees of the same or closely related species form root grafts—natural fusions between their roots. When one tree (the nurse) remains healthy, it can support the survival of a neighboring tree that has lost a portion of its own root system (e.g., due to injury, disease, or transplant shock).

🌱 Functions and Importance:

• Maintains stand stability in forests.
• Enhances drought resilience and nutrient sharing.
• In grafted orchards, intentional nurse root grafts may be used to rescue or strengthen weak scions.

This biological support mechanism reflects a form of plant-plant cooperation and has implications in plant ecology, silviculture, and rootstock management.

Nurse root grafting is a grafting technique used in some horticultural crops (like walnut trees) where a healthy rootstock /nurses/ is grafted onto a rootless, weak scion. The rootstock provides nutrients and water until the scion can develop its own roots and recover.

Nurse root grafting is a technique where a scion (the desired plant part) is grafted onto a temporary rootstock, called a "nurse root," to help it develop its own roots. This is particularly useful for plants that are difficult to root from cuttings or other methods. The nurse root provides temporary support and nutrients while the scion establishes its own root system. Once the scion has rooted, it can be separated from the nurse root and grown independently.

Nurse root grafting is a propagation technique where a difficult-to-root scion (grafting plant/stem) is grafted onto a vigorous, compatible rootstock that temporarily supports the scion's growth and establishment. The nurse rootstock provides essential water and nutrients until the scion develops a sufficient root system or is robust enough to survive independently. This method is particularly useful in propagating species like walnut, pecan, and mango, where conventional rooting is challenging. It enhances propagation success, improves initial growth, and facilitates survival in suboptimal conditions.