Mentor Method

in biology, a method used after grafting to direct the training of a young hybrid plant by subjecting it to the influence of another plant, the mentor.

The mentor method is used to eliminate defects in hybrid plants or to strengthen desirable properties in new varieties. The method is based on the profound formative influence of various substances of one of the grafted components (the already formed variety) on the other (the developing hybrid). I. V. Michurin, who invented the method, used it to develop varieties of apple (Bellflower-Chinese apple, Candella-Chinese apple), pear (Bergamot Novik), and cherry (Krasa Severa). The frost resistance of the grafted hybrid seedling is increased, and the quality of its fruit is improved. The changes obtained are fixed only after the vegetative reproduction of the new variety.