Effects of Grafting on Morphophysiological and Yield Characteristic of Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) Grafted onto Wild Relative Rootstocks

Abstract

Grafting is regarded as an integral component of sustainable vegetable production. It is important in the management of soil-borne diseases, and reports suggest that grafting with viable rootstocks can enhance crop growth and yield. This research was conducted using splices and cleft grafting techniques to investigate graft compatibility among varieties of high yielding eggplant scion (MCV1, MCV2, CCV1, CCV2, CCV3, NCV, and TCV) grafted onto wild rootstocks (MWR, BWR, and TWR) to study their morphophysiological and yield characteristics. High yielding scions grafted onto wild relative rootstocks were compared with two controls including self-grafted and non-grafted. All the scion had a high rate of germination (≥95%) and remarkable graft success (100%) was recorded in MCV1, MCV2, and TCV using the cleft techniques. Generally, the use of rootstocks resulted in higher total and marketable fruit yield compared to the non-grafted and self-grafted scion plants, respectively. In particular, MWR and TWR rootstock conferred the highest vigour to the scion, resulting in the highest values recorded for total and marketable fruit yield, number of fruits per plant and average fruit weight. A similar result was obtained in fruit length and diameter, where long and wide fruits were observed in scions grafted onto MWR and TWR rootstocks, respectively. Grafting of high yielding eggplant scion onto resistant MWR, BWR and TWR eggplant rootstock was found to be beneficial for eggplant cultivation. The remarkable compatibility and vigour of the rootstock with scion led to the improvement in total and marketable yield of the fruits. As such, it can be concluded that the use of wild relative rootstocks of eggplant species can be a valuable method of improving eggplant production.

Influence of Wild Relative Rootstocks on Eggplant Growth, Yield and Fruit Physicochemical Properties under Open Field Conditions

“…In this research, evidence showed that grafting with high-vigour rootstocks may increase the yield and quality of the fruit. The increased yield and fruit quality proven in this study is consistent with earlier reports on grafting [9,14,21]. The success of grafting is determined by graft combination, rootstock and scion compatibility, temperature, humidity and light [20,29].…”

“…In this research, the results show that the cleft grafting technique was highly successful, with more than 90% graft success in all treatments. The result is supported by Musa et al [9], who reported significant graft success in MCV1, MCV2 and TCV scions grafted with wild eggplants using the cleft technique. As shown by our result, grafting with compatible rootstocks produced earlier flowers than self-rooted, for example, TE/SM, TE/ST and NE/SM.…”

“…Although Solanum torvum is the most commonly used rootstock for eggplant and has been reported to be resistant to soil-borne diseases, there is a need to find other alternative rootstocks due to a lack of rapid and homogeneous seed germination [8]. According to Musa et al [9], grafting wild relatives' rootstocks can have an impact on eggplant yield and apparent fruit quality. Grafting with resistant rootstocks proved to be an effective tool to overcome biotic and environmental stresses and increase yield and quality [8,10].…”

Productive Characteristics and Fruit Quality Traits of Cherry Tomato Hybrids as Modulated by Grafting on Different Solanum spp. Rootstocks under Ralstonia solanacearum Infested Greenhouse Soil

“…Similarly, several other studies reported that grafting induced early flowering. For example, eggplant scion 'MCV1' grafted onto wild eggplant rootstock 'MWR' [48] and eggplant cv. 'Scarlatti' grafted onto wild brinjal rootstocks (S. torvum and S. melongena x S. aethiopicum) [49] resulted in the earlier flowering of grafts than the non-grafted plants.…”

Genetic Diversity and Utilization of Cultivated Eggplant Germplasm in Varietal Improvement

“…The major characterization involves measuring the plant traits that can be observed through simple visual observation at different growth stages such as the germination and seedling phase, vegetative stage, inflorescence descriptors, and maturity stage. Secondary morphological characterization deals with further complicated agronomic important traits such as biochemical properties, yield potential, fruit set, and pest and disease resistance [ 49 ]. These morpho-physiological descriptors allow easy and quick discrimination between phenotypes traits which are generally highly heritable traits and are equally influenced by changes in environmental conditions.…”