Recent studies have documented that grafting enables exchanges of both RNA and DNA molecules between the grafting partners, thus providing a molecular basis for grafting-induced genetic variation. DNA methylation is known as prone to alterations as a result of perturbation of internal and external conditions.
That genetic information shared between plants isn’t DNA—the two grafted plants keep their original genomes—but epigenetic information is being communicated within the plant. … Researchers studied the movement of sRNAs across the graft junction, and the resulting epigenetic changes in the plants’ genome.
Does grafting change the fruit?
As an added bonus, the cloned tree will also produce fruit much faster than the trees grown from seed — often in as little as a year after grafting. In addition, grafting makes it possible to grow many different fruits on a single rootstock. … So, for diversity, plant seeds; for consistency, graft.
