In vitro Grafting of Selected Papaya (Carica Papaya L.) Lines in Kenya

The aim of this study was to evaluate success of In vitro grafting method in three selected Kenyan papaya lines. In vitro regenerated shoots of about 20mm were used where the upper 10mm tips were excised and used as scions while the remaining portion was used as rootstock. The rootstocks and the scions were used interchangeably. Number of leaves and length of grafts were recorded every week for six weeks. Number of scions that were alive after six weeks was also recorded. Grafted shoots were rooted on MS with 2.5mg/l IBA. The number of grafted shoots that were alive after six weeks ranged between 45% and 80%. The types of rootstock and scions affected the number of leaves and length of grafted shoots with lines 1 and line 2 grafted on their rootstock exhibiting the highest leaf number and shoot length. Papaya line 3 grafted on either line 1 or 2 rootstock and vice versa had a higher number of leaves and shoot length as compared with line 3 grafted on its own rootstock. Within 24 weeks, in vitro grafted plantlets were achieved. In vitro grafting of selected papaya lines was successful.