In grafting, why is cambium alignment important?

• A. It prevents rootstock decay after grafting.
• B. It determines the age of the plant.
• C. It ensures vascular connection between scion and rootstock for successful growth.
• D. It increases leaf size after grafting.

Answer: (C)

Cambium alignment is essential because the vascular cambium must be in contact on both sides to create a continuous transport system. The cambium is the layer that generates new xylem inward and phloem outward, so when the cambial layers of the scion and rootstock are properly aligned, these cells can divide and form a continuous cambial ring across the graft union. That creates functional xylem and phloem connections, allowing water, minerals, and sugars to move between root and shoot and supporting successful growth of the grafted plant. If the cambial layers don’t line up, the connection can fail or be weak, even if tissue around the wound calluses. Other outcomes like preventing decay, determining age, or increasing leaf size aren’t driven by cambial alignment in the same fundamental way as establishing vascular continuity.