Root System Architecture of Interspecific Rootstocks and Its Relationship with Yield Components in Grafted Tomato

Abstract

Biotic and abiotic stress factors are the major constrains for the tomato yield potential. One way to overcome the negative impact of these factors on yield is to manipulate vigorous root system architecture (RSA) through grafting. The present study aimed to determine the yield potential of tomato plants grafted to interspecific eggplant rootstock candidates, and the relationship between RSA and yield performance. Eggplant rootstocks can also be used for grafted tomato, as the eggplant rootstocks perform better under some stress factors. Four eggplant rootstock candidates (Solanum melongena x Solanum aethiopicum), AGR-703 F1 eggplant rootstock (S. melongena x S. aethiopicum) and Yavuz F1 tomato rootstock (Solanum lycopersicum x Solanum pimpinellifolium) were used. Rootstocks were grafted with Fulya F1 and Berat-45 F1 tomato cultivars. Sixteen different treatments were performed using grafted and non-grafted tomato seedlings. It was noted that all rootstocks used for grafting positively affected yield components. The highest yield per plant (8 kg) was obtained from RS1 rootstock, followed by Yavuz F1 with 7.32 kg and RS5 with 7.20 kg. RS1 and RS5 promising eggplant rootstock candidates developed within the scope of the rootstock breeding program for eggplant can also be used for grafted tomato in terms of yield performance. In the correlation analysis, since there is a significantly higher relationship between yield characteristics of grafted tomato and total root length, root surface area, root dry weight and the length ratio of roots with a diameter of less than 1 mm (L1%), it would be beneficial to examine these parameters in rootstock breeding programmes.