Rootstock performance for cherry tomato production under organic, greenhouse production system

Abstract

ABSTRACT Studies have indicated that grafting increases yield and prevents plant diseases. An experiment was installed to evaluate the influence of rootstock on the physicochemical and phytotechnical characteristics of a cherry tomato cultivar (Sweet Grape) under organic, greenhouse production system, from July to December 2014. The experiment consisted of a randomized complete block design, with eight replications. Treatments were composed of four rootstocks (Emperador, Muralha, Enforce, and Enpower) and the ungrafted cultivar Sweet Grape (control). The following variables were analyzed: plant height, yield, firmness, discard, yield/discard ratio, total titratable acidity (TTA), total soluble solids (TSS), ratio, pH, number of clusters, and number of leaves. Data were subject to analysis of variance by the F test, at 5% significance level, and means were compared by the Tukey’s test. Plant height was significantly different among treatments. Rootstocks presented no significant differences on yield, number of clusters, and TTA. The rootstocks Emperador, Enforce, and Muralha presented significant difference when compared to the control. For number of leaves, all rootstocks were significant when compared to the control, but not in relation to each other. The rootstocks presented the following yields: Emperador = 66.57 t ha-1; Muralha = 59.79 t ha-1; Enpower = 58.44 t ha-1; Enforce = 57.92 t ha-1; and the control cv. Sweet Grape = 51.28 t ha-1. Results revealed that rootstocks have the potential to improve cherry tomato’s yield in an organic cultivation system and do not interfere negatively with the physicochemical quality of the final product.