Evaluation of grafting effect on tomato crop yield and Fusarium crown and root rot disease
Department of Agronomic and Economic Sciences, Higher School of Agriculture of Kef, 7119, Kef Tunisia, Department of Biological Sciences and Plant Protection, Higher Institute of Agronomy of Chott Mariem, 4042, Sousse, Tu
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2009.v11i02.22
Key words: Tomato, Lycospersicon esculentum, graft, Fusarium crown and root rot, grafting, Beaufort x Bochra, Beaufort x Amal, Kemerit x Bochra and Kemerit x Amal, rootstock
Abstract: Tomato, Lycospersicon esculentum, is an important vegetable crop in Tunisia and many other Mediterranean countries. Fusarium crown and root rot of tomato are new diseases in the area, first reported during 2000-2001 crop season, threatening tomato production. Being a soil-borne pathogen, effective disease control methods of Fusarium crown and root rot are limited thus requiring the alternative measures for disease management. In this study the efficacy of grafting commercial Tomato cultivars Bochra and Amal, used as scions, onto a new rootstock Beaufort and Kemerit RZ was examined in controlled and natural conditions. Grafting was found, in this study, to be an effective method to attenuate the impact of Fusarium wilt, Fusarium crown and root rot. Moreover, grafting increased tomato growth parameters, yield and improved fruit quality.
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