Creation of a Novel Plant Phenotype Through Repeated Grafting

Sexual reproduction facilitates genetic exchange and promotes diversity, whereas asexual reproduction ensures genetic uniformity but constrains adaptive potential. Therefore, breeders explore genetic variations to select elite lines in asexually propagated species. While definite tools and techniques enable gene transfer and modification, they are often expensive, time-consuming, and require sophisticated equipment, with limited success in achieving desired outcomes. Consequently, genetic transmission between distantly related species remains a significant challenge in plant breeding and genetics research. This study proposes an innovative approach to developing novel plant phenotypes in asexually propagated plants through repeated grafting. This method strategically alternates scions and rootstocks from genetically distinct species to facilitate multiple graft junctions. Repeated substitution of the same stock and scion up to 6-8 times facilitates extensive genetic material exchange. It potentially alters gene expression in the shoot apical meristem through genetic or epigenetic modifications. The resulting plant may exhibit a combination of traits from both scion and stock. Genetic alterations in the newly formed species could be evaluated using phenotypic assessments and molecular techniques such as whole-genome sequencing and transcriptomic comparative analysis. The findings from this experiment could have significant applications in commercial crop breeding, potentially leading to groundbreaking advancements in plant development.