Grafting Tomato with Interspecific Rootstock to Manage Diseases Caused by Sclerotium rolfsii and Southern Root-Knot Nematode

Abstract

Southern blight (Sclerotium rolfsii) and root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) cause severe damage to fresh-market tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) throughout the southeastern United States. Grafting is an emerging technology in U.S. tomato production, and growers require information regarding the resistance characteristics conferred by rootstocks. In this study, southern blight (SB) and root-knot nematodes (RKN) were effectively managed using interspecific hybrid rootstocks. During 2007 and 2008, field trials were carried out at two locations that had soils naturally infested with S. rolfsii. At the end of the growing seasons, the mean SB incidence of nongrafted plants was 27 and 79% at the two sites. SB incidence among plants grafted onto rootstock cultivars Big Power (one location only), Beaufort, and Maxifort ranged from 0 to 5%, and area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) values were lower than for nongrafted and self-grafted controls (P < 0.01). At one location, soils were naturally infested with RKN, and all three rootstocks reduced RKN AUDPC and RKN soil populations at first harvest (P < 0.01). Big Power was particularly effective at reducing RKN galling and RKN soil populations at final fruit harvest (P < 0.01). Fruit yield was higher when resistant rootstocks were utilized (P < 0.05), and in our study grafting was effective at maintaining crop productivity in soils infested with S. rolfsii and M. incognita.

Selection of resistant rootstocks to Meloidogyne enterolobii and M. incognita for okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench)

“…Rivard et al (2010) observed that in an area under high pressure from M. incognita, nongrafted tomatoes were severely damaged. These authors evaluated three rootstocks for tomato and observed that 'Maxifort' and 'Beaufort' had low incidence of galls Resistance confirmation whereas 'Big Power' only had traces of galls.…”

Growth and yield of grafted cucumbers in soil infested with root-knot nematodes

“…Kacjan Maršić and Jakše (2010) also indicated the 'RS 841 Improved' as a rootstock that could provide better marketable yield and fruit number when compared to ungrafted plants. The study of Rivard et al (2010) was also conducted in a field that was naturally infested with a population of RKN, and showed that tomato fruit yield was higher for plants grafted onto resistant rootstocks. Similarly, Verdejo-Lucas and Sorribas (2008) conducted a study with grafted tomato plants in the soil artificially infested with Meloidogyne javanica and reported a higher cumulative yield in the resistant cultivar than in the susceptible control.…”

“…However, grafting of tolerant rootstocks, as an alternative to pesticide use, may be a more sustainable approach particularly for organic production. The usage of the RKN-resistant rootstocks has been successful in tomato, but is dependent on the RKN species present, the local RKN population within the species, and on the genetic background of tomato with regard to the Mi gene (Lopez-Perez et al, 2006;Cortada et al, 2008;Verdejo-Lucas et al, 2009;Rivard et al, 2010).…”

Grafting as an Alternate Tool for Biotic and Abiotic Tolerance with Improved Growth and Production of Solanaceous Vegetables: Challenges and Scopes in India

“…Source: Bolandnazar et al, 2014;Rivard et al, 2012;Keatinge et al, 2014;Onduso, 2014;Vitale et al, 2014;Hibar et al, 2006;Kaskavalci et al, 2009;Mochizuki and Yamakawa, 1979;Jang et al, 2012;Al-Chaabi et al, 2009;Rivard et al, 2010. Lee et al, (2010); Pandey and Rai (2003); Penella et al, 2014;AVRDC 2003AVRDC & 2009 The majority of users of grafted seedlings is currently greenhouse hydroponic tomato growers, whereas it is still a relatively unknown technique for open-field vegetable growers.…”