The vegetative grafting effect on increasing tomato fruit quality

Abstract

In Uzbekistan, the vegetative grafting effect on the tomato fruits quality was studied. Table tomato varieties Gulkand, AVE-Maria and Marvarid (cherry tomato) were used as grafts. Each variety was grafted onto its own seedlings, as well as in combinations with four tomato accessions from the World Vegetable Center. The control was not grafted plants. The grafting of varieties depending on the rootstock helped increase the yield by 16-20% and the marketability of fruits by 97-100%. The Gulkand variety, in combination with rootstocks L03708 and CLN2071B, has its average fruit weight increased by 30-35%, AVE-Maria – by 11-18% and Marvarid – by 24-43% above the control plants. The low variability of the dry matter content (V=6.4%) and total sugar (V=9.0%), and the middle variability of the ascorbic acid content were established as well (V=12.5%). In the Gulkand and AVE-Maria varieties, the dry matter content was close to the control level, and in the Marvarid variety it has increased in combinations. Total sugar content has slightly decreased in all combinations of the Gulkand variety. The ascorbic acid has increased in all varieties in combinations. The variability of the chemical composition did not depend on the type of rootstock (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) or (ssp. Pimpinellifolium) The nitrate nitrogen in fruits in all varieties and combinations was 1.4–2.3 times lower than the MPC.