Resistance to Bacterial Wilt of Rootstock Varieties of Tomato and Graft Compatibility

Six commercial rootstock varieties were tested for resistance to bacterial wilt (Ralstonia solanacearum) by dipping the roots of seedlings in the bacterial suspension at seedling stage. ‘Shincheonggang’ and ‘B-Blocking’ ranked top and second in resistance to bacterial wilt, respectively. For disease index of the grafted plants, ‘Dotaerang’ grafted onto ‘Shincheonggang’ was the least, followed by ‘Ultra’, ‘Fighting’, ‘B-Blocking’, ‘Special’, and ‘Connection’ grafts. Thus, disease development on the grafted plants was correlated with resistance of rootstocks. The effect of rootstocks on horticultural characteristics including days to flower of scion was minimum or negligible. In correlation between horticultural characteristics of rootstocks and scions grafted thereon, statistically significant negative correlation was observed in days to flower and fruit height but no significant correlation was observed in yield per plant, fruit diameter and soluble solid content in the fruits. Thus, selection of resistant rootstock varieties that support the growth and yield of scion well is necessary for effective control of the disease and yield increase