Effects of Solanum torvum Rootstock Grafting on Growth, Yield and Fruit Quality of Tomato Plants

  Objective  Grafting tomato scions on rootstocks of eggplant (Solanum torvum) was evaluated for its applicability.

  Method  Plant growth, tomato yield and quality as well as fertilizer and water utilization of the seedlings grown on meteorite in a greenhouse from the Jinpeng No. 9 scions grafted on eggplant rootstocks were compared with those from the scions grafted on rootstocks of same variety (control).

  Result  The S. torvum rootstock grafting retarded the plant height, leaf generation and weight gains on roots and stems of the grafted tomato seedlings but increased the root to shoot ratio, chlorophyll content and root activity. The individual weight, number per plant and yield per plant of the tomatoes decreased. The contents of Vc, soluble sugars and sugar/acid ratio of the fruits increased, while titratable acid decreased. No significant difference on the soluble solids and lycopene contents were observed between the seedlings grafted on S. torvum rootstocks and control. The water consumption and mineral absorption of the plants grafted on S. torvum rootstocks were less than those of control.

  Conclusion  Overall, the growth, yield, quality and other indicators suggested that grafting tomato scions on S. torvum rootstocks would be suitable for application.