Grafting effects on bioactive compounds, chemical and agronomic traits of ‘Corbarino’ tomato grown under greenhouse healthy conditions

Abstract

In tomatoes, grafting onto resistant rootstocks represents an effective strategy to control several soil-borne diseases that reduce crop profitability, especially for landraces with little or no resistance to multiple pathogens/pests. In this study, the high-value ‘Corbarino’ tomato landrace was grafted onto seven commercial Solanum interspecific rootstocks to evaluate graft compatibility, yield performance, and qualitative characteristics under greenhouse healthy conditions. Three rootstocks were the most effective in improving fruit yield without negatively affecting the carpometric, technological, and health-related traits of the traditional tomato. ‘Dinafort’ rootstock increased fresh and dry yield, harvest index, and fruit/clusters, while mean fruit weight, shape index, total and soluble solid content, simple sugars, organic acids, flavonoids, ascorbic acid, and trans-lycopene content did not differ with respect to the ungrafted ‘Corbarino’. ‘Interpro’ rootstock also showed promising results for the overall yield and quality traits, although it reduced the trans-lycopene content in the fruit. ‘Silex’ rootstock showed the highest harvest index as result of decreased vigour. The fruit quality induced by ‘Silex’ was satisfactory and high levels of simple sugars, flavonoids, ascorbic acid, and trans-lycopene were also observed. However, graft success, especially for ‘Dinafort’ and ‘Silex’, needs to be improved by investigating more suitable methods for seedling production, grafting, acclimatization, etc.