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The splice graft is similar to the whip-and-tongue graft except the second tongue cut is not made.

A simple slanting cut of the same length is made in both the scion and rootstock.

It is a common graft used for vegetable crops that use robotic grafting of a scion on a disease resistant rootstock.

Illustration showing three steps to creating a splice graft.

Accounting for differences in size

If the scion and rootstock are not the same size, then line up both along one side to maximize cambial contact.

Illustration showing front and side views of how to line up a scion and rootstock of differing sizes.

Grafting vegetables on to disease resistant rootstocks can increase yield, especially in protected culture systems.

Photo showing an example of a vegetable splice graft.

Photo showing a flat of vegetable splice grafts being placed in growing medium.

Illustration showing how a scion and rootstock are brought together and then held together using a clip.

Photo showing a rootstock, scion, and a grafting clip used to hold them together.

Preparing rootstock.

Photo showing technician about to make a splice cut to rootstock with a razor blade.

Making splice cut.

Photo showing technician having completed the splice cut.

Lining up the partners

Photo showing technician lining up a scion with the rootstock.

A clip unites the graft.

Photo showing technician using a grafting clip to hold the two parts together.

Photo of a grafting robot.

Close up photo of grafting robot.

Grafting robots have been developed to perform splice grafts for vegetables like the melon scion on gourd rootstock combination pictured here.