Effects of different rootstock and scion combinations on plant growth, yield and fruit quality in grafted tomato growing

This study was carried out in the spring and summer seasons of 2014 in order to determine the effects of different rootstock and scion combinations on plant growth, yield and fruit quality. Different rootstocks namely Beaufort, Cuatomate, Green Doctor, Alisa Craig, LA 0247, Marry Robinson ve Yellow Wermissage were used in the research. Piccolino and LA 4442 plants were taken a part as scion. Self grafted and non grafted Piccolino F1 and LA 4442 plants were considered as the control. Plants were grown in Nutrient Film Technique as a closed system. Nutrient solution's EC and pH were monitored and nutrient solution circulated continuously. Rootstock and scion seeds were planted to the trays, seedlings were transplanted when cotyledon leaves were fully expanded and the plants with 3-4 leaves were grafted by the tube grafting technique. Seedlings were planted on 11.03.2014 into the polyethylene cover that was spread into the water channels with a plant density of 2.5 plant m-2. The experimental design was randomized parcels with 2 factors and 4 replicates. Production was continued until 19.06.2014; plant growth, yield and fruit quality measurements and analyses were performed during and at the end of the production period. Results showed that effects of treatments were significant on plant growth, yield and fruit quality parameters except chlorophyll due to the genotypical differences of plants used. Considering all the data, Piccolino genotype was superior than LA 4442 genotype. Effects of the rootstocks showed differences according to the measured parameter, Alisa Craig as the rootstock increased the yield compared to the control, on the other hand plants grafted onto Beaufort, Green Doctor, Yellow Wermissage and self grafted ones gave intermediate values. Rootstocks had no effect on green fruit yield, fresh and dry stem weight, titratable acidity, green and red fruit sugar content, chlorophyll a and total chlorophyll. Effects of rootstock x scion combination on the all measured parameters except green fruit numbers affected blossom end rot, chlorophyll a and total chlorophyll and fruit colour a. Results differed according to rootstock/scion combinations, generally Piccolino genotype was effected positively from grafting. Most promising results were taken on Alisa Craig/Piccolino combination in terms of yield while fruit quality parameters varied by rootstock. Piccolino plants grafted onto Green Doctor and LA 4442 plants grafted onto Beaufort, Marry Robinson and Yellow Wermissage resulted in lower sugar content in red fruits. Overall results showed that grafting can be used as a strategy for improvement of plant growth, yield and fruit quality, however rootstock x scion combinations are important for impact mechanism. Keywords: Graft, biomass, yield, glucose, fructose, color, chlorophyll.