Abstract
After an introductory discussion on vegetative propagation of cacao by budding or grafting as an alternative to the use of cuttings for clonal planting material glasshouse experiments conducted on green budding and grafting of two- to six-week-old seedling rootstocks are described. For budding, the modified Forkert method, and for grafting, the ide-grafting method were found to be most suitable, both methods resulting in percentage of successful take ranging between 90 and 100. For practical purposes, however, budding in the nurseries is preferable to grafting. A tubular budding knife was developed, allowing partial mechanization of the budding operation. Green budding of very young rootstocks in the nurseries should result in the establishment of cacao plantings from well-grown buddings within five to six months.
