Tomato Grafting Research Articles

ECONOMIC AND BIOLOGICAL POTENTIAL AND ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY OF CULTIVATION OF TOMATO HYBRID MERLIS F1 BY THE VACCINATION METHOD

The purpose of the scientific work was to determine the influence of Maxifort F1, Kaiser F1 and Emperador F1 rootstocks on growth, development, marketable yield and economic efficiency of growing tomato plants by grafting in winter greenhouses. Methods. General scientific, measuring, laboratory, statistical, analytical. The results. The research was conducted on the basis of Dniprovskyi TC LLC, in the period from 2021 to 2024, in winter block greenhouses. The effect of rootstock hybrids on tomato plants of the Merlis F1 hybrid was determined, namely, the plants were inoculated, the phenological phases of the plants were analyzed, the hypothesis of improving the plant's biometric indicators and increasing the dynamics of marketable yield due to inoculation was verified and confirmed. The effect of vaccination on the chemical composition of fruits was determined. The economic feasibility of plant vaccination was calculated. Observations were made on the resistance of vaccinated and non-vaccinated to various diseases. Conclusions. Grafting tomato plants onto rootstocks improves the biometric parameters of the plant, such as: the strength of plant growth, the number of flowering inflorescences and collected inflorescences from plants, the number and quality of leaves, increases the number and weight of fruits. Thanks to vaccination, we got an increase in marketable productivity in the first 40 days of fruiting at the level of 20%, and the total at the level of 10%. Due to the grafting of Merlis F1 hybrid tomato plants onto rootstocks, we obtained an increase in marketability at the level of 1.0%. During the research period, tomato plants were not affected by fungal and viral diseases, we attributed this to the wide range of resistance of the Merlis F1 hybrid and the studied rootstocks. Vaccination has a minor effect on the chemical composition of the fruits. The economic feasibility of carrying out such an element of technology as grafting plants on rootstocks was confirmed, this confirms the level of profitability at the level of 43.0-45.2%, which is 10.0-12.2% more than the option without grafting. But there are disadvantages in grafting plants onto rootstocks, namely; an increase in labor costs and the cost of growing seedlings, the period of growing seedlings increases

Deepening the Role of Pectin in the Tissue Assembly Process During Tomato Grafting.

Cell walls play essential roles in cell recognition, tissue adhesion, and wound response. In particular, pectins as cell-adhesive agents are expected to play a key role in the early stages of grafting. To test this premise, this study focused on examining the dynamics of the accumulation and degree of methyl-esterification of pectic polysaccharides at the graft junctions using tomato autografts as an experimental model. Monosaccharide analysis showed a marked increase in homogalacturonan from 25% to 32 or 34% at the junction zones early after grafting. In addition, a decrease in the degree of homogalacturonan methyl-esterification up to 38% in the scion and 64% in the rootstock was observed in the first few days after grafting, accompanied by an increase in pectin methyl-esterase activity of up to 20-30% in the tissues surrounding the graft junction. These results shed light on the role of homogalacturonan in grafting and reinforce the key function of pectin as one of the most relevant cell wall components during the grafting process.

Brinjal (Solanum melongena) rootstocks improve photosynthetic rate, fruit yield and quality parameters in grafted tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)

The experiment was conducted during winter (rabi) seasons of 2021–22 and 2022–23 at ICAR-Indian Institute of Vegetable Research, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh to study the improvement in yield and quality parameters in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) cultivar using brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) rootstock. Three improved cultivars of tomatoes i.e. Kashi Aman, Kashi Adarsh and Kashi Chayan were grafted over three brinjal rootstocks, IC-111056, IC- 354557, and Surya. Experimental findings revealed that brinjal rootstocks significantly affected photosynthetic traits, root architectures, fruit yields and quality traits of tomatoes. Maximum photosynthetic rate (23.8 µmol/m2/s) and stomatal conductance (492.74 mmol/m2/s) were recorded in Kashi Chayan grafted over Surya rootstock, whereas chlorophyll fluorescence yields (Fv/Fm) was significantly higher in Kashi Aman self-rooted plants (0.452–0.457). Grafting tomato onto brinjal rootstocks significantly enhanced most of the yield traits, such as fruit number, weight, size and yields. Surya + Kashi Chayan graft combination registered an enhancement in number of fruits and yields by 8.65% and 8.4%, respectively over self-rooted Kashi Chayan. Significantly higher root volumes were noticed in two graft combinations i.e. IC-354557 + Kashi Aman (28.53 cm2) and Surya + Kashi Chayan (27.98 cm2), while 63% and 44.5% higher root length density (RLD) were registered in graft combinations IC-354557 + Kashi Chayan and Surya + Kashi Chayan, respectively over self-rooted Kashi Chayan. Fruit quality such as lycopene and ascorbic acid contents were significantly affected in different rootstocks and scions, whereas fruit acidity was unaffected. From the present study it may be conclude that use of brinjal rootstock Surya significantly improved most of the physiological, yield, root architecture and fruit quality in Kashi Chayan tomato cultivars.

Evaluation of brinjal and tomato scions for enhancing yield and quality attributes in grafted brimato plants

To meet the growing demand for fresh produce in cities, promoting peri-urban and urban farming is essential to reduce reliance on rural areas for vegetables. One innovative approach developed at ICAR-IIVR, Varanasi (2019-2022), is the dual grafting of brinjal and tomato on a single brinjal plant, termed 'Brimato' (Brinjal + Tomato). Using the vigorous, waterlogging and salinity-tolerant brinjal rootstock IC 111056, four brinjal cultivars (Kashi Sandesh, Kashi Uttam, Kashi Manohar, Kashi Vijay) and three tomato cultivars (Kashi Aman, Kashi Chayan, Vani) were selected as scions. Over three years, experiments showed that scion cultivars significantly impacted Brimato productivity. Kashi Manohar combined with Kashi Aman or Kashi Chayan yielded the highest brinjal fruit numbers, while Kashi Aman combined with hybrid brinjal Kashi Sandesh resulted in the highest tomato fruit numbers. The highest fruit yields were observed with the Kashi Sandesh + Kashi Chayan combination, yielding 2.58 kg/plant. The Kashi Aman + Kashi Sandesh combination produced a cumulative yield of 5.98 kg/plant. Physiological traits like photosynthetic rate and chlorophyll fluorescence yield varied significantly among scion cultivars, with Kashi Manohar and Kashi Aman scions exhibiting the highest photosynthetic rates. Grafted Brimato plants showed enhanced fruit quality, particularly in vitamin C and β-carotene content. These findings highlight the potential of Brimato plants for urban agriculture, offering a viable solution for sustainable fresh produce supply.

Performance of tomato cultivars grafted on root-knot nematode resistant Solanum torvum rootstock for growth and yield parameters

Aim: To study the grafting of tomato cultivars on root-knot nematode resistant Solanum torvum for plant growth, yield parameters and nematode damage under polyhouse conditions. Methodology: Three tomato cultivars viz., Arka Samrat, Saaho and SVTD8323 were grafted on Meloidogyne incognita-resistant S. torvum Sw. (IC618029) by cleft grafting technique. The experiment was conducted in a polyhouse using factorial randomized block design (FRBD) with two factors. The first factor was planting material with grafted and non-grafted tomato cultivars. The second factor was with and without nematode infestation. Observations on plant growth and yield parameters were taken. Results: Grafted and non-grafted tomato cultivars differed significantly in terms of flowering and yield parameters and nematode damage. Under nematode-infested conditions, grafted cultivars yielded significantly more number of flowers per cluster (4.22 to 4.47), flower clusters per plant (11.25 to 11.63), fruits per cluster (3.74 to 4.19), higher percentage of fruit set (89.78 to 94.00) and fruit yield per plant (2,984.6 to 3114.36 g), with less nematode damage (10.60 to 11.53 galls per root system) as compared to non-grafted cultivars (302.53 to 314.33 galls per root system). Interpretation: Tomato grafting with S. torvum rootstock can be utilized in root-knot nematode management, especially in protected cultivation. Key words: Meloidogyne incognita, Nematodes, Rootstock, Tomato grafting, Wild brinjal

Germination, survival and preservation of tomatoes when using the technological method of grafting in protected soil

The article discusses the use of technological graftingand its effect on the survival and preservation of tomato plants, and also provides the results of research on seed germination.The purpose of the research is to evaluate the effect of technological inoculation on the survival and preservation of tomato hybrids in protected soil conditions of the Tyumen region. The cultivation of tomatoes at the Narimanovsky municipal plant is carried out using Dutch technology, which has proven its right to be used in the conditions of the sharply continental climate of Siberia and the possibility of creating break-even production based on them. Studies aimed at studying the reception of tomato grafting on stable rootstocks seem timely and promising not only in our country, but also abroad. Scientific research was conducted from 2018 to 2022.The paper presents recommendations for growing tomato hybrids in protected soil as a grafted crop. The advantages of grafted plants are that the graft may not have all types of resistance, and some of them are added at the expense of the rootstock, which is relevant and has not been studied in the conditions of the closed ground of the Tyumen region. Grafting has a complex and prolonged effect on a number of physiological parameters. In the course of research, it was found that growing tomatoes usinggrafting in low-volume hydroponics conditions makes it possible to increase the safety of plants by the end of the turnover.

Effect of Tomato Grafting onto Novel and Commercial Rootstocks on Improved Salinity Tolerance and Enhanced Growth, Physiology, and Yield in Soilless Culture

Grafting high-yielding tomato varieties onto stress-tolerant rootstocks can mitigate the adverse effects of saline water irrigation on plant tomato productivity in arid regions like Saudi Arabia. This study investigates the efficacy of grafting tomatoes onto both novel and commercial rootstocks to enhance salinity tolerance and its impact on growth, physiological parameters, and yield in a soilless culture system. The experiment involved two water quality levels, 2 (S1) and 4 (S2) dS m−1, two growth media types, volcanic rock (M1) and sand (M2), and six grafting treatments: Tone Guitar F1 non-grafted (G1) (commercial scion), grafted onto itself (G2), Tone Guitar F1* Maxifort F1 (G3) (commercial rootstock), and grafting the scion onto three novel rootstocks, X-218 (G4), X-238 (G5), and Alawamiya365 (G6). Growth, physiology, photosynthetic pigments, and yield improved with lower salinity (2 dS m−1) in volcanic rock and with the grafting treatments (G2–G6) compared to the non-grafted treatment (G1). The best results were achieved with the S1M1G5 treatment, where yield increased by 53% compared to the lowest yield in non-grafted plants grown in sand under higher salinity (S2M2G1). All studied traits were adversely affected under high salinity (S2) in sandy media, with the G1 treatment resulting in the lowest values for these traits.

Qualitative Characteristics and Functional Properties of Cherry Tomato under Soilless Culture Depending on Rootstock Variety, Harvesting Time and Bunch Portion.

Tomato grafting is an effective practice in increasing the profitability of fresh-market tomato cultivation, especially in greenhouses, and is also considered a strategy for enhancing fruit quality. In this study, selected quanti-qualitative traits, and the of bioactive health-promoting compound and organic acid contents of cherry tomato fruits from three different scion/rootstock combinations (Sunstream/Top Bental, Sunstream/Kaiser and Sunstream/Suzuka) grown under a greenhouse hydroponic system were evaluated in three different harvests (beginning, middle and end of the whole harvesting period) and on three different bunch portions (proximal, central and distal). Although the tomato productive performance was influenced by the rootstock, with Suzuka and Kaiser grafted plants showing the highest total marketable yield (9.8 kg plant-1, i.e., 20% more than Top Bental), the yield-related traits (bunch number, weight and length per plant, and fruit number per bunch) and the qualitative characteristics of the fruits (color, equatorial and polar diameters, dry matter and solid soluble contents, pH and titratable acidity) showed less variability, by displaying, along with the bioactive compound contents (total polyphenols, lycopene, β-carotene), DPPH free radical scavenging activity and organic acids contents (lactic and acetic), a significant effect of the harvesting time and bunch portion. Fruits from the beginning of the harvesting period showed better qualitative and functional properties, with the lycopene and β-carotene contents equal to 178.6 and 3 mg 100 g-1 fw, and fruits from proximal and central bunch portions had lycopene and β-carotene contents equal to 203.1 and 2.9 mg 100 g-1 fw.

Mitigate the Impact of Various Abiotic Stress by Using Grafting in Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) and Other Vegetables: A Comprehensive Review

Grafting technology has developed as a promising alternative to slow traditional breeding methods for boosting abiotic stressor resistance, soil pathogen tolerance, and fruit vegetable output and quality. Tomato, cucumbers, watermelons, eggplants, muskmelon and sweet papers have been grafted commercially to increase plant tolerance to factors such as salt, drought, waterlogging, the heavy metal toxicity, extreme temperatures, and variations in vegetable crop yield and quality. The goal of this study was to evaluate the research on the effect of grafting in reducing abiotic stressors and increasing vegetable crop production and quality. At different phases of culture, abiotic and biotic stressors harm tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), a significant vegetable crop globally. Drought, salt, floods, severe temperatures, and heavy metals may alter plant morphology, physiology, and biochemistry, affecting crop development, production, and quality. Grafting technology is an excellent alternative to delayed breeding operations to reduce biotic and abiotic stressors. Grafted tomatoes have higher osmolytes, antioxidant enzymes, photosynthesis, which improves plant growth and fruit harvests and makes them more tolerant to abiotic challenges. Additionally, tomato grafting on proper rootstocks enhances fruit nutritional value, including lycopene, β-carotene, ascorbic acid, and proteins. This information may help researchers and producers improve vegetable quality, especially under abiotic stress.

Grafting of Tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum L.) onto Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.): Harvesting Double Crops from a Single Plant

Rapid Urbanization and industrialization have been overtaking land for food production at the global level. Further, climate change has necessitated the modification of the existing food production system to adapt the changing environmental situations. Grafting is a rapid and economical solution to improving the yield in Solanaceous vegetables. In this study, the effects of grafting tomato (cv. Garv) on potato (cv. Desiree) rootstock were evaluated for yield of tomato and potato in comparison to non-grafted tomato and non-grafted potato plants. The results showed that the yield of tomato was significantly higher in non-grafted tomato (11.05 t/ha) and tomato grafted on potato with decapitation of potato shoots (4.07 t/ha) compared to that of tomato grafted on potato without decapitation of potato shoots (0.94 t/ha). On the other hand, the yields of non-grafted potato (1.44 t/ha) and tomato grafted on potato without decapitation of potato shoots (1.00 t/ha) were statistically higher than that of tomato grafted on potato with the decapitation of potato shoots. There were no statistical differences between the treatments for dry matter content and Total Soluble Solutes (TSS) of tomato and potato. The yield of tomato of the grafted pomato was negatively correlated to the yield of potato rootstock, but it was not statistically different. The data from this study suggest grafting of tomato on potato with decapitation of potato shoots is recommended for obtaining higher yield of grafted tomato and without decapitation of potato shoots for higher yield of potato from grafted plants.

Grafting in Tomato for Improving Abiotic Stress Tolerance, Yield and Quality Traits

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is a major vegetable crop worldwide, however, its production is adversely affected by a wide range of abiotic and biotic stresses at various stages of its cultivation. Abiotic stresses, such as drought, salinity, flooding, extreme temperatures and heavy metals can cause morphological, physiological and biochemical changes in the plant, which ultimately affect crop growth, yield and quality. Among various mitigation strategies, grafting technology has emerged as an effective and alternative tool to slow breeding programs to alleviate various biotic and abiotic stresses. Various studies indicated that increased osmolytes accumulation, synthesis of antioxidant enzymes, improved photosynthesis and vigorous root architecture in grafted tomatoes confer tolerance towards abiotic stresses, besides improving plant growth and fruit yields. Moreover, tomato grafting on suitable rootstocks has also a positive effect on the nutritional qualities of fruits, such as, lycopene, β-carotene, ascorbic acid, proteins, etc.). In this review, we have tried to summarize the adverse effects of abiotic stresses in tomatoes and include all possible recent references related to the response of grafted tomatoes using different intra-and/ or inter-specific rootstocks on improving plant growth, yield and quality and alleviation in various abiotic stresses.

Studies on tomato grafting and their effect on performance with different rootstocks

Studies on tomato grafting and their effect on performance with different rootstocks

Effects of Rootstock and Location on Open Field ‘BHN 589’ and ‘Nebraska Wedding’ Grafted Tomato Yield

Grafted tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) production is popular, particularly in high tunnels, because grafted plants can mitigate soilborne disease incidence in highly infested soils and increase water and nutrient use efficiency and crop yield and quality. However, these potential benefits are not as well documented in open field production systems with less disease pressure. The objective of this study was to quantify the effect of tomato grafting on fruit yield, number, and size across 2 years (2018 and 2019) and three diverse open-field production environments in Nebraska (Lincoln, North Platte, and Dwight). At each location, a scion from one of two determinant fresh market tomatoes, ‘Nebraska Wedding’ (heirloom) or ‘BHN 589’ (commercial hybrid), were grafted onto one of two rootstocks, ‘Estamino’ and ‘Maxifort,’ and the nongrafted scion cultivars were controls. In year 2, a fertilizer treatment was introduced (0 and 50 kg·ha−1 N). Ripe tomatoes were harvested weekly, sorted as marketable or cull, counted, and weighed fresh. No marketable or total yield benefits of grafting were observed in 2018 for any scion by rootstock combination across locations. Marketable yield of grafted plants was reduced by 32% in Lincoln. However, grafted ‘Nebraska Wedding’ plants (regardless of rootstock) in North Platte (with coarse-textured, lower organic matter soil) increased fruit number (but not yield) by 50% to 63%. In 2019, grafting ‘BHN 589’ to ‘Maxifort’ increased total tomato yield by 24% across all locations. The heirloom variety Nebraska Wedding did not benefit from grafting in 2019. ‘Estamino’ rootstock did not increase tomato yield, number, or size for either scion variety in either year. Nitrogen fertilizer increased yield as expected in 2019, but grafted plants did not perform better than nongrafted under reduced nitrogen fertility. Results from this study suggest that grafting is not consistently beneficial to ‘BHN 589’ and ‘Nebraska Wedding’ in open field production systems in Nebraska, particularly if there are no known soilborne disease issues.

Integrating grafting and companion planting to improve crop performance in intensive high‐tunnel tomato production

AbstractIntroductionTomatoes are among the most popular horticultural crops cultivated in high tunnels. Due to space limitations in these enclosed environments, some tomatoes are produced in succession (i.e., without rotation) across years, which could lead to yield reductions over time. However, the impact of tomato monocultures on productivity in high tunnels and strategies to buffer against yield declines need further testing.Materials and MethodsWe used a 4‐year field experiment whereby heirloom tomatoes (cv. Cherokee Purple and Black Krim) were grown in the same high tunnel soil over time. We tested the impact of both tomato grafting and companion planting on aboveground vegetative biomass and fruit yield. For the grafting treatment, we used the commercially available Maxifort and wild tomato, Solanum pimpinellifolium, as rootstocks. For companion planting, we seeded open alleys with clover and spatially shifted crop beds each year such that tomatoes were transplanted into the previous year's clover planting.ResultsOur data indicate that the companion (clover) treatment had little to no impact on tomato production, while grafting to Maxifort rootstock had a significant positive effect on biomass and yield. However, beneficial effects of grafting were only observed over time, in years three (+71% inc. in biomass) and four (+77% inc. in biomass, +38% inc. in yield) of the experiment; not during the initial 2 years. Leaf (SPAD) and fruit (Brix) metrics were unaffected by any of the treatments.ConclusionOverall, our results suggest that grafting tomatoes with commercially available rootstock is an effective tool for maintaining production in high tunnel monocultures over time.

Optimizing Tomato Grafts for Improved Growth, Yield and Fruit Quality

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.

Grafting Tomato to Manage Southern Blight, Prevent Yield Loss, and Increase Crop Value.

Southern blight, caused by the soilborne fungus Athelia rolfsii, has increased in frequency and severity in the southern United States since the use of methyl bromide fumigation ceased. The objective of this study was to evaluate three cultivars of sticky nightshade (Solanum sisymbriifolium), previously used as tomato rootstocks because of resistance to root-knot nematode, for resistance to southern blight. Field experiments in infested soil were done in Georgia in 2020 and 2021 and in South Carolina in 2021. Tomato cultivar Roadster was used as the scion. Control treatments included non-grafted Roadster in all experiments and self-grafted Roadster in Georgia. In all three experiments, all rootstocks significantly reduced incidence of southern blight and increased vigor ratings compared to control treatments (P ≤ 0.007). The rootstocks Maxifort, White Star, and SisSynII, but not Diamond, significantly increased marketable weight (P ≤ 0.02) and crop value (P < 0.05) compared to control treatments. In South Carolina only, because of greater yields than in Georgia, net returns with Maxifort and White Star were significantly greater than net return with non-grafted Roadster (P = 0.004). When the wholesale price for fresh market tomato is ≥$13/box, grafting may be an effective and economical management for southern blight.

Variable Yield Responses among Grafted and Nongrafted Late blight–resistant Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Hybrids in North Carolina

Host resistance is an environmentally and economically sustainable disease management strategy that may be especially beneficial to small-scale and organic growers for whom other management tools such as synthetic pesticides are too costly or not permitted. In western North Carolina, the demand for vine-ripened tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.) from local and organic farms has led to the development of cultivars bred for resistance to geographically relevant diseases, including late blight of tomato, which causes rapid defoliation and lesions on fruit. Grafting tomato plants has the potential to increase plant vigor and yield; however, this effect is known to be dependent on multiple factors, including scion and geographic location. In this study, we evaluated the yield response of one determinate (‘Mountain Gem’) and four indeterminate (‘Mountain Heritage’, ‘Mountain Girl’, ‘Mountain Rouge’, and ‘NC10291’) late blight–resistant tomato cultivars, grafted on tomato rootstock ‘Maxifort’ or nongrafted, on a commercial farm and at two research facilities in western North Carolina. Yield of marketable fruit from grafted plants was greater than that from nongrafted plants at one location (P = 0.008); however, yield response of each cultivar, grafted or not grafted, differed by location. Yield was consistently greater from ‘Mountain Gem’ plants than other cultivars, and grafted ‘Mountain Gem’ plants had greater yields later in the season at two locations than nongrafted plants. Because of the late planting date intended to expose cultivars to the late blight pathogen, the full yield potential of the indeterminate cultivars was not realized at all locations. Disease severity caused by Verticillium wilt (Verticillium dahliae Kleb., Verticillium albo-atrum Reinke &amp; Berthold) was lowest for cultivar Mountain Heritage at two of three locations. Results from this study emphasize the importance of conducting evaluations of grafted tomato plants at multiple locations, including on farm, to optimize the benefits associated with their use.

Trends and gaps in tomato grafting literature: a systematic approach

Aim of study: To investigate the trends and existing research gaps in tomato grafting by employing scientometric methods. Area of study: In silico at SCOPUS database. Material and methods: Research articles were retrieved by combining the search terms related to tomato and grafting. The articles were selected according to pre-established criteria. Temporal trends and scientometric indexes were determined. Bibliometric mappings were conducted to determine the main countries, authors, and journals that published articles on tomato grafting; and to acquire collaboration and keywords co-occurrence networks. Technical aspects of tomato grafting were analyzed. Main results: A total of 397 research articles published from 1944 to 2020 were analyzed. The number of publications on tomato grafting increased at an annual rate of 8.8%. The USA and Spain are notable in terms of the number of published and cited articles. The USA and European countries had the highest number of collaborations. European authors had the strongest research connections. Interspecific grafts (61.83%) and experiments in controlled conditions (82.87%) predominated. The growing interest in tomato grafting has been observed as a means of overcoming environmental issues as well as yield and quality improvement. Research highlights: Collaboration among research groups contributed to a higher research impact on the theme. The mitigation of abiotic stresses and fruit quality has risen as significant concerns for tomato crops.

Managing Southern Root-knot Nematode in Kentucky High Tunnels Using Grafted Tomato

Infection by root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne spp.; RKN) leads to root galling and reduces the host plant’s ability to take up water and nutrients. Protected cropping systems, such as high tunnels, create conducive environments for RKN through increased soil temperatures and more intensive crop production. In Kentucky, high tunnel production has increased in the past 10 years, with tomato being the most cultivated high tunnel crop. This has contributed to a lack of rotation and increased pressure from RKN. Tomato grafting with RKN-resistant rootstock is a nonchemical management strategy that has shown promise in other regions of the United States. The primary objective of this 2-year, two-site study (Knox and Boyle Counties) was to determine whether using grafted resistant rootstock could be a viable management strategy in high tunnels naturally infested with Meloidogyne incognita. The rootstocks included ‘Arnold’, ‘Maxifort’, ‘Shin Cheong Gang’, and ‘Estamino’. ‘Primo Red’ and ‘Cherokee Purple’ were the scions and nongrafted controls in Knox and Boyle Counties, respectively. In 2020 and 2021 in Knox County, three of the four grafted treatments produced at least 38% higher yield than the nongrafted control. Grafted treatments had at least 44% fewer RKN eggs/g of dry root compared with the nongrafted control in both years. In 2021 and 2022 in Boyle County, tomato yield was at least five times greater in all four of the grafted treatments compared with the nongrafted control. In 2021, the nongrafted control had three times more RKN eggs/g dried root compared with three of the four grafted treatments. In 2022 in Boyle County, the nongrafted control had four times more RKN eggs/g of dried root than all grafted treatments. In both years and locations, ‘Arnold’ and ‘Estamino’ treatments had higher yield and lower RKN population densities in soil and roots compared with the nongrafted controls. Utilization of resistant rootstock will help Kentucky growers maintain crop productivity in soils infested with RKN, but should be combined with other management methods for long-term resiliency of the high tunnel system.

Grafting tomato with resistant eggplant and bacteriophages treatment to suppress the development of bacterial wilt disease (Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum)

Bacterial wilt disease caused by Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum is a major problem in tomato cultivation. This research was aimed to evaluate the potential of grafting two susceptible tomato varieties (Servo and Kaliurang) with EG203-resistant eggplant, combined with bacteriophage treatment to suppress bacterial wilt disease. The results showed that grafting tomatoes with EG203 eggplant combined with bacteriophage treatment effectively suppressed the development of bacterial wilt disease. Grafting Servo – EG203 combined with bacteriophages treatment resulted in the longest incubation period (45 days), lowest incidence (6.25%), lowest severity of bacterial wilt (2.5%), and AUDPC value (8.75) at 49 days after inoculation. The low development of bacterial wilt in grafting and bacteriophage treatment was supported by the low population of R. pseudosolanacearum in the soil, which was only around 103 CFU/gram at 49 days after inoculation. In conclusion, the combination of tomato grafting and bacteriophage treatment showed promising results in controlling bacterial wilt disease.