EFFECT OF EGGPLANT ROOTSTOCK ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF GRAFTED TOMATO (Solanum lycopersicum L)

n/aThe use of grafted tomato for commercial production has been implemented worldwide, where soilborne disease pressure is high. Two major soilborne diseases, bacterial wilt (caused by Ralstonia solanacearum) and fusarium wilt (caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici), were effectively managed using susceptible tomato ‘ASVEG 10' scions grafted onto two resistant rootstocks ‘EG203' and ‘VFR Takii'. The value of chlorophyll content, water potential in leaves and curving of xylem vessels immediately above graft interface were greater in eggplant rootstocks. Vegetative growth tended to be depressed, the incidence of blossom end rot (BER) and soluble solid concentration (Brix) of fruits were increased by grafting on eggplant rootstocks. Total yield and average fruit weight were also influenced by eggplant rootstock, whereas no significant difference was observed on fruit number per plant. It is concluded that eggplant rootstock reduced uptake capacity was associated with a graft union that showed convoluted xylem vessels that directly affects on poorer relative growth rate and increased hydraulic resistance at the graft union and are likely in a state of water deficiency.TABLE OF CONTENTS Page LIST OF TABLES.................................. vi LIST OF FIGURES............................... viii INTRODUCTION……………………………………...... 1 CHAPTER ONE - REVIEW OF THE LITERATURES…….. 3 1.1. GRAFTING AND COMPATIBILITY………………… 3 1.2. GRAFTING FOR RESISTANCE TO BIOTIC STRESSORS. 6 1.3. GRAFTING FOR TOLERANCE OF ABIOTIC STRESSORS… 10 1.4. GRAFTING FOR CROP YIELD AND FRUIT QUALITY …. 12 1.5. WATER AND NUTRIENT UPTAKE……..……………. 14 LITERATURE CITED.............................. 17 CHAPTER TWO - SCREENING OF RESISTANT ROOTSTOCKS FOR BACTERIAL WILT AND FUSARIUM WILT IN TOMATO............25 ABSTRACT…………………..........……………….. 25 2.1. INTRODUCTION.............................. 26 2.2. MATERIALS AND METHODS................... 29 2.3. RESULTS.................................. 35 3.4. DISCUSSION.............................. 37 LITERATURE CITED.............................. 39 CHAPTER THREE-GROWTH AND PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES OF TOMATO SEEDLINGS GRAFTED ON EGGPLANT ROOTSTOCKS…...…50 ABSTRACT ……………....................………. 50 3.1. INTRODUCTION............................. 51 3.2. MATERIALS AND METHODS....................... 52 3.3. RESULTS................................. 56 3.4. DISCUSSION.................................... 59 LITERATURE CITED..................................... 63 CHAPTER FOUR - RESPONSE OF EGGPLANT (Solanum melongena L.) AS ROOTSTOCK FOR TOMATO (Solanum Lycopersicum L.)..69 ABSTRACT……................…………………….. 69 4.1. INTRODUCTION..................................... 70 4.2. MATERIALS AND METHODS.......................... 71 4.3. RESULTS.................................. 78 4.4. DISCUSSION............................... 86 LITERATURE CITED………..…………………........ 89 SUMMARY …………….................……………. 10