Development of Simple Grafting Devices for Fruit Vegetables (Part 2)

A Prototype of Scion Cutting Device for Cleft Grafting

Abstract

In this report, a prototype of scion cutting device was developed for saving the cleft grafting work in eggplant cultivation. It cut the hypocotyl into a wedge-shape. Fixing angle of cutting blades, diameter and hardness of the hypocotyl influenced the wedge angle of the hypocotyl. Also the wedge angle depended on the cutting position. The device could cut and shape the hypocotyl into a discretionary wedge angle by adjusting the cutting position. The cutting accuracy was equal or higher than that of the manual operation. Time required per one seedling was about 7 seconds, that was about 40% of the manual operation. It became clear that the developed device was practical.