The formation of buds by cell division within a localized area of a shoot. Budding is also a method of sexual reproduction in which a new individual develops as a direct growth off the body of the parent, and may subsequently become detached and lead a separate existence.
General biological meaning
A new organism is formed by the protrusion of part of another organism. When yeast buds, one cell becomes two cells. When a sponge buds, a part of the parent sponge falls off and starts to grow into a new sponge.
In Virology
Budding is the process by which enveloped viruses acquire their external envelope, often as fragment of the host cell membrane, which bulges outwards and takes the virion inside.
In Embryology
The term budding is also applied to the process of embryonic differentiation in which new structures are formed by outgrowth from preexisting parts.
In Horticulture
Budding is also a process that consist of ingrafting the bud of a plant into another plant. The rootstock or stock plant may be cut off above the bud at budding, or one may wait until it is certain that the bud is growing. Rootstocks are young trees, either seedlings as Mazzard cherries for many cherry varieties, or clonal rootstocks (usually propagated by layering) when one wants highly consistent plants with well defined characteristics.
T-budding is the most common style, whereby a T-shaped slit is made in the stock plant, and the knife flexed from side to side in the lower slit to loosen up the bark. Usually buds at the tip, or at the older parts of the shoot are discarded, and only 2-4 buds are taken for use.
Holding the petiole of the leaf as a handle, an oval of the main stem is sliced off, including the petiole and the bud. The joined bud and rootstock are held by a winding of rubber band, which will hold it until sealed, yet the band will deteriorate in the sunlight so that soon breaks and does not pinch new growth, girdling the shoot.
The percentage of "take" of the buds depends on the natural compatibility of the stock and scion, the sharpness of the knife, and the skill of the budder.
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