author(s)
SS Biradar, Dr. KG Dhande, Dr. SV Pathak, Dr. AG Mohod and Dr. YR Parulekar

abstract
The information about properties of cashew scion and rootstock is scarce and needs to be known to design the bench grafting tool for grafting of cashew. The properties of scion of Vengurla - 4 variety and rootstock used for softwood grafting were determined. The determination of properties of scion grouped in different diameter classes and cashew rootstock of two extreme ages (3 months and 8 months after sowing), grouped in different diameter classes and moisture content classes for cashew grafting. The mean diameter of scion for size classes D1, D2 and D3 found as 6 mm, 8 mm and 10 mm respectively. The mean diameter of 3 months old rootstock of different size classes R1, R2 and R3 found as 4 mm, 6 mm and 8 mm, and for 8 months old rootstock of different size classes S1, S2 and S3 found 6 mm, 8 mm and 10 mm approximately. The moisture content of scion of diameter 3 -12 mm found as 58.13% to 82.58%. The moisture content of rootstock of diameter 3-10 mm found 67.08 to 90.09%. The hardness of scion found as 16.62 to 51.83 N/mm2. The hardness of rootstock found 2.01 to 33.24 N/mm2. The maximum cutting strength of scion and rootstock found as 7.06 N/mm2.