Effect of grafting time and scion diameter on grafting success in Larch (Larix decidua)

Extreme grazing, illegal logging, fire and irregular harvesting are factors of forest degradation and boundaries change particularly in the upper parts of Caspian forests. Planting of exotic species such as Larix with good adaptability in these areas due to cattle’s avoidance of grazing and immunity due to psychical effects on forest residents for it’s unknown identity, can help considerably to reestablishment of forest cover in upland degraded areas. Since there isn’t enough seed for seedling production in the country and it’s high prices of seeds and currency need for procurement from foreign countries using of techniques that reduce the time to obtain enough seeds in the country is necessary. Grafted trees in comparison to non-grafted trees produce seeds in shorter time. Therefore, obtaining success in grafting was due to two factors: grafting time and scion diameter. According to the obtained results grafting time and scion diameter in prob., level of 1% and interaction between two factors in prob., level of 5% were significant. Therefore, the best time for grafting according to vegetative activity of stock and scion was the time that stock buds started swelling and scion buds were dormant (March) and the best scion diameter was more than 2 m