Optimizing Tomato Grafts for Improved Growth, Yield and Fruit Quality

Abstract

Low tomato production and yield in the country can be attributed to various biotic and abiotic stresses. To mitigate the impact of these challenges, vegetable grafting is gaining popularity worldwide. Furthermore, tomato growers are adopting hybrid varieties, but the majority of them face challenges affording the cost of hybrid seeds. This study was conducted in 2018 to investigate successful tomato grafting techniques aimed at enhancing growth, yield, and fruit quality. This study examined three distinct rootstocks (AS-2565, Bush beefsteak, and Roma vf), three high-yielding scion varieties (Super tomato, Rio-grande, and T-1359), and employed two grafting methods (splice and cleft). Non-grafted plants were maintained as check plants. The grafting methods showed non-significant differences in all studied parameters except grafting success, whereas the scion-rootstock combinations exhibited highly significant differences. The highest grafting success, number of fruits per plant, fruit length, fruit diameter, fruit weight, and yield per plant were observed in the T-1359 scion grafted onto the Bush beefsteak (BBS) rootstock. Regarding quality characteristics, higher levels of total soluble solids (TSS) and pH were observed in non-grafted Super tomato plants. In terms of vitamin C, titratable acidity (TA), and lycopene content, the T-1359 scion performed better across various rootstocks. In conclusion, T-1359 grafted onto the BBS rootstock proved to be a superior scion-rootstock combination in terms of growth, yield, and quality.