Grafting Effects on Vegetable Quality

Abstract

<jats:p>Vegetable grafting began in the 1920s using resistant rootstock to control soilborne diseases. This process is now common in Asia, parts of Europe, and the Middle East. In Japan and Korea, most of the cucurbits and tomatoes (<jats:italic>Lycopersicon esculentum</jats:italic> Mill.) grown are grafted. This practice is rare in the United States, and there have been few experiments to determine optimal grafting production practices for different geographical and climatic regions in America. This is beginning to change as a result of the phase out of methyl bromide. The U.S. cucurbit and tomato industries are evaluating grafting as a viable option for disease control. Because reports indicate that type of rootstock alters yield and quality attributes of the scion fruit, some seed companies are investigating grafting as a means to improve quality. It has been reported that pH, flavor, sugar, color, carotenoid content, and texture can be affected by grafting and the type of rootstock used. Reports vary on whether grafting effects are advantageous or deleterious, but it is usually agreed that the rootstock/scion combination must be carefully chosen for optimal fruit quality. Additionally, it is important to study rootstock/scion combinations under multiple climatic and geographic conditions because many rootstocks have optimal temperature and moisture ranges. This report gives an overview of the effect of grafting on vegetable quality.</jats:p>

EFFECT OF DIFFERENT ROOTSTOCKS ON GROWTH, CHLOROPHYLLAFLUORESCENCE AND MINERAL COMPOSITION OF TWO GRAFTED SCIONS OF TOMATO

“…In our results, stem diameter increased in scions grafted on S. torvum and on the double graft, which is a characteristic of graft incompatibility associated with a poor connection of vascular bundles between rootstock and scion (Oda et al, 1996). This effect can be linked to a higher hydraulic resistance or to a smaller root system (Oda et al, 2005), which decreases nutrient flow through the grafted union, eventually causing wilting (Davis et al, 2008).…”

“…The technique of grafting began as early as the 1940s (Davis et al, 2008). Grafting was initially carried out to limit or reduce the infection by soil-borne diseases caused by pathogens, e.g., Fusarium wilt.…”

Cucumis metuliferus is resistant to root‐knot nematode Mi1.2 gene (a)virulent isolates and a promising melon rootstock

“…The changes in parameters associated with flesh quality (higher °Brix, lower flesh firmness and lighter flesh colour) might be associated with a more advanced ripening state of the melons grafted onto C. metuliferus . Effects on fruit quality in grafted plants due to growing cycle alterations have been reported previously (Davis et al ., ; Soteriou et al ., ). Therefore, these effects could be reduced by adapting the harvesting period for each rootstock × scion combination.…”

Grafting on CM‐334 controls serrano chili wilting caused by Phytophthora capsici and changes phenology but does not affect fruit yield

“…() reported negative effects on morphological and agronomic characteristics in pepper plants grafted on CM‐334. However, grafted plants have been reported to increase yields because root grafts have strong root systems, therefore greater nutrient uptake and increased photosynthetic activity (Davis et al., ; Gisbert, Prohensa, Raigonb, & Stommelc, ; Wu, Chen, & Zhao, ). In our study, although there was a delay in fruit production in grafted plants at the beginning of the experiment, this reduction did not affect the overall production in comparison with the non‐grafted plants.…”