Application of natural root grafting to annual crop species using a narrow-rooting passage instrument

Abstract

Natural root grafting is a well-known phenomenon in perennial tree species. This study examined whether root grafting is possible between the same and different annual crop species without any surgical action by using an instrument with a narrow and tight rooting passage to evaluate the application of natural root grafting. A part of the epidermal cell layer disappeared and cortex tissues of two individual plants became fused together in most of species examined. When two different species were grafted, sequential images proved that whole cowpea tap root was inserted into the cortex layer of mung bean. These results indicated that natural root grafting of annual crop species without any surgical action is possible when the two growing roots come in contact with each other in a narrow and rigid rooting channel.