Effect of Grafting Rootstocks on Yield,Quality and Disease Resistance of Tomatoes

Serious soil-borne diseases are frequently found on tomatoes grown under continuous cropping practice.This study aimed to alleviate the problem through grafting cultivation.Grafting'Isaeli big fruit'tomato with 9varieties of rootstocks was conducted to examine the compatibility between them,as well as the growth vigor,disease resistance,yield and fruit quality of the resultant plants.The results showed that the grafting significantly reduced the incidences of bacterial wilt and improved the growth and fruit yield as compared to the scion-root seedlings,without appreciable change on the shape and quality of the tomatoes.A comprehensive comparison indicated that two rootstocks,Aihao and Qinhe,had the most desirable growth compatibility,fruit yield and disease resistance among the 9tested varieties.Consequently,they were considered suitable for further testing to demonstrate and promote the grafting for tomato cultivation.