Influence of Time and Methods of Budding in ‘Khasi Mandarin’ (Citrus reticulata Blanco.) On Different Rootstocks in the Foothills of Arunachal Pradesh

North-East India is known for its high quality Khasi mandarin production. Multiplication of healthy and, true to the type of quality planting material is a necessity to strengthen the orchards and to boost its cultivation in the region. Different rootstocks viz., Rough lemon, Rangpur lime, Khasi mandarin, Volkamer lemon and Pummelo and different methods of budding (‘T’-budding and modified chip budding) were used for Khasi mandarin in February, March and April. Considering the method of budding, time and rootstocks the maximum bud take (93.33%), budding success (93.33%), sprout length (11.30 cm), sprout girth (2.14 mm), dry weight of sprout (2.95 g), number of leaves (7.97), Chlorophyll ‘a’ (0.34 mg/g), ‘b’ (0.50 mg/g) and total chlorophyll (0.86 mg/g) were recorded when modified chip budding was done on Rough lemon in February. Minimum days required to sprout (32.00) and maximum root diameter (8.23 mm) were observed on Khasi mandarin with modified chip budding done in February. Leaf perimeter (18.7 cm), root length (32.37 cm), fresh (22.13 g) and dry weight (16.22 g) of roots were maximum in Volkamer lemon with ‘T’-budding done during February. Thus, the study concluded that modified chip budding is the best method of budding to perform during February in Khasi mandarin using Rough lemon as rootstock with respect to bud take, budding success and growth of sprout.