ICAR-INDIAN INSTITUTE OF HORTICULTURAL RESEARCHHESARAGHATTA LAKE POST, BENGALURU-560089

Title of the project

Soil, Nutrient and Water Management in Horticultural Crops and Cropping Systems

Sub-Project No.: HORTIIHRCIL2015 080(9)

Title of Sub-Project

Influence of root stock and scion combinations on nutrient acquisition and utilization in Solanaceous Vegetable crops

Submitted By

Dr H B RAGHUPATHIPrincipal Scientist (Soil Science)

Division of Soil Science and Agricultural chemistryICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru-560 089

ANNEXURE - I

INDIAN COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH

PROFORMA FOR PREPARATION OF STATUS REPORTFOR PROPOSAL OF A NEW RESEARCH PROJECT

(Refer for Guidelines ANNEXURE-XI(A))

1. Name of the institute: Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Hessaraghatta, Bangalore 560089

2. Title of the project:

Influence of root stock and scion combinations on nutrient acquisition and utilization in Solanaceous Vegetable crops

3. Type of research project: Basic/Applied/Extension/Farmer Participatory/Other (specify)

Applied

4. Genesis and rationale of the project

Grafting of vegetable seedlings is a unique horticultural technology, practised for more than 50 years, to overcome problems associated with intensive cultivation on limited arable land. Grafting vegetables can protect against soil-borne diseases, abiotic stresses, salinity, drought or excessive soil-water content etc. In addition, the grafted plant takes up water and nutrients from the soil more efficiently and retains its vitality for longer periods during the growing season. However, rootstock/scion combinations may affect and alter the final size, yield, and quality of fruits from grafted plants. The nutrient concentration may also vary from that of non-grafted plants, these alterations may be attributed in part to differing production environments and methods, the type of rootstock/scion combinations used.

Even though grafting was practiced in fruit trees for thousands of years, vegetable grafting was only recently widely adapted on a commercial scale. Old records on vegetable grafting can be found in Chinese as well as in Korean and Japanese writings. The commercial use of vegetable grafting is a relatively recent innovation. The wide use of plastic films for the production of vegetables in the late 1950s, and the increased interest on protected cultivation, which involves successive cropping, determined the use of grafted vegetables. Commercial vegetable grafting originated in Japan and Korea and was practiced for about 30 years. It was introduced to Western countries in the early 1990s and is currently being globally practiced by using local scion cultivars and introduced rootstocks. Grafting vegetables represents a feasible alternative, technically and economically accepted by growers in several growing conditions:

5. Knowledge/Technology gaps and justification for taking up the present project.

Grafting is a propagation technique which involves complexes biological processes. The production of high quality vegetables is often linked to the use of local ecotypes. Therefore, the recovery, characterization and diffusion of old, native populations are not the start of agricultural and cultural regression, but rather the chance to help face ecological issues and those concerning agro-ecosystem sustainability. Environmental stresses present the most limiting conditions for horticultural productivity and plant exploitation worldwide. Important environmental stress factors include water, temperature, nutrition, light, oxygen availability etc. A specific method of modifying plants to resist environmental stresses comprises grafting commercial cultivars on to selected vigorous rootstocks. Grafting is nowadays regarded as a rapid alternative to the relatively slow methodology of breeding for increased environmental-stress tolerance of vegetables.

Another important advantage of grafting is protection against abiotic stresses such as high/low temperatures, salinity drought or excessive water soil content and elevated concentrations of nutrients Furthermore, grafting is very popular among farmers because it results in fruit yield increases and enhanced overall plant vigour. The grafted plant takes up water and nutrients from the soil more efficiently, and retains its vitality for longer periods during the growing season However, rootstock/scion combinations affect final size, yield and quality of fruits from grafted plants, both immediately postharvest and during prolonged storage. Variations in nutrient concentration, uptake and distribution are the important factors involved in root stock and scion interactions. Several conflicting findings have been published on this aspect. It is not surprising that rootstocks have such a drastic impact on the scion and its fruit; they can enhance plant vigour, improve disease resistance, improve tolerance of low soil temperatures and/or soil salinity, and improve uptake of soil nutrients and water. The rootstock effect is extensive. For the grower, the requirements of vigour, pest and disease resistance and improved fruit quality are all factors that can be introduced via the rootstock effect. The rootstocks have been selected and bred to handle a wide range of soil borne pests and diseases including nematode. The secondary benefits come from the ability of the roots to explore a much larger volume of soil so that the nutrient levels are not so critical and much more in balance.

The rootstock’s vigorous root system is often capable of absorbing water and nutrients more efficiently than scion roots. This xylem sap, which is greatly influenced by the rootstock even in the same scion cultivars, is known to contain fairly high concentrations of minerals, organic substances examined the xylem sap and hormone concentrations in eggplants grafted onto various rootstock. Even though there is little or no information on the translocation of agents from scion to rootstock, there are many reports concerning the translocation of agents from rootstock to scion. Some permanent changes take place in the scion, induced by transmissible agents from the rootstock.

6. Critical review of present status of the technology at national and international levels along with complete references

Eggplant is widely cultivated in tropical and temperate regions worldwide, and is amenable to grafting (Daunay 2008, King et al. 2010). Gisbert et al. (2011) investigated effects of rootstock on fruit yield, apparent quality and proximate and mineral compositions of eggplant scions grafted on interspecific hybrid rootstocks developed from crosses of S. melongena with Solanum incanum L.and Solanum aethiopicum L. The results were compared

with those obtained with non-grafted controls and self-grafted controls and with S. melongena ‘scions grafted onto Solanum torvum Sw. and Solanum macrocarpon L. rootstocks. Little difference in apparent fruit-quality traits was observed among treatments, except for a greater fruit calyx length and greater prickliness of fruits grafted onto SMA rootstocks. Grafting eggplant onto interspecific eggplant hybrids, has proved advantageous for eggplant production, because the high vigor and good rootstock/scion compatibility resulted in improved early and total yields, without apparently impairing fruit quality or composition (Gisbert et al. 2011).

The fruit Cu, Mn, Ca, Zn and Fe contents (ppm) did not significantly differ between the grafted and the control plants. Similar results were reported by Passam et al. (2005), who found that eggplants grafted onto two tomato rootstocks gave higher yields and bigger fruits than those of non-grafted plants, but the mineral compositions of fruits from grafted plants did not differ from those of nongrafted plants. Arvanitoyannis et al. (2005) studied the physicochemical and sensory parameters of grafted and non-grafted eggplant plants, as affected by storage times of up to 17 days. Vitamin C content during storage was negatively affected by grafting, whereas MAP prolonged the shelf life. Flesh firmness was negatively affected by grafting and deteriorated during storage, but was positively affected by MAP. Sensory analysis obtained higher ratings for sweetness, acceptance and hardness among fruits from non-grafted plants, Moncada et al. (2013) evaluated the quality of eggplant cultivars grafted onto Solanum torvum or non-grafted. Grafting onto Solanum torvum changed the colour of fruits, making them darker and with less vivid coloring, but browning of inner tissue was not influenced by grafting. In addition, total phenolics content was greater in the non-grafted plants

The use of grafting for tomato production has increased in recent years because rootstocks improve tolerance of the plants to pathogens, poor water quality, over-wet soils, and drought and toxic soil micronutrients. Vinkovic Vrcek et al. (2011) reported that grafting resulted in an increased number of marketable fruits per plant by 30%, but the contents of vitamin C and total phenolics decreased significantly as a result of grafting. Also, the antioxidant activities of grafts differed significantly from those of their respective rootstocks. The overall results showed that tomato grafting on suitable rootstocks elicited positive effects on cultivation performance, but decreased tomato nutritional quality.

Bell pepper has high contents of vitamin C, carotenes, phenols, capsaicinoids, xanthophyll’s, and flavonoids, in addition to exhibiting high antioxidant activity. These micronutrients impart to bell pepper qualities that have led to its use in traditional medicine related to health (Kouassi et al. 2012). Chavez-Mendoza et al. (2013) evaluated the effects of the rootstock and the scion and indicated statistically significant differences in the contents of bioactive compounds: between grafted and nongrafted fruits. The grafting increased β-carotene and vitamin C concentrations and improved the antioxidant capacity, but had no influence on the total phenol or lycopene contents. They concluded that grafting to the rootstock improved the nutritional quality of the fruits.

References cited

1. Daunay M. C., 2008. Eggplant. In: Handbook of Plant Breeding: Vegetables II. J. Prohens and F. Nuez (eds), Springer, New York, USA: 163-220.

2. King S.R., Davis A.R., Zha ng X., Crosby K., 2010. Genetics, breeding and selection of rootstocks for Solanaceae and Cucurbitaceae. Sci. Hort. 127: 106-111.

3. Gisbert C., Prohens J., Raigón M. D., Stommel J. R., Nuez F., 2011. Eggplant relatives as sources of variation for developing new rootstocks: Effects of grafting on eggplant yield and fruit apparent quality and composition. Sci. Hort. 128: 14-22.

4. Passam H.C., Stylianoy M., Kotsira s A., 2005. Performance of eggplant grafted on tomato and eggplant rootstocks. Eur. J. Hort. Sci. 70: 130-134.

5. Arvanitoyannis I.S., Khah E.M., Chr istak ou E.C., Bletsos F.A., 2005. Effect of grafting and modified atmosphere packaging on eggplant quality parameters during storage. Intl. J. Food Sci. Technol. 40: 311-322.

6. Monca da A., Miceli A., Vetra no F., Mineo V., Planeta D., D’anna F., 2013. Effect of grafting on yield and quality of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.). Sci. Hort. 149: 108-114.

7. Vinkovic Vrc ek I., Samobor V., Bojic M., Medic- Sar ic M., Vukobra tovic M., Erha tic R., Horvat D., Matotan Z., 2011. The effect of grafting on the antioxidant properties of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). Span. J. Agric. Res. 9: 844-851.

8. Kouassi K.C., Koff i-Nevry R., Guillaume L.Y., Yéssé Z.N., Koussémon M., Kab lan T., Atha nase K.K., 2012. Profiles of bioactive compounds of some pepper fruit (Capsicum L.) varieties grown in Côte D’Ivoire. Innovat. Rom. Food Biotechnol. 11: 23-31.

9. Chávez-Mendoza C., Sánch ez E., Car vaja l-Millán E., Muñoz-Márquez E., Guevara -Aguilar A., 2013. Characterization of the nutraceutical quality and antioxidant activity in bell pepper in response to grafting. Molecules 18: 15689-15703.

Other Selected references made use in the study

1. Fabio D’Anna (2013) advances in vegetable grafting and new nursery patterns for grafted plant production Università Degli Studi di Palermo Dottorato Internazionale di Ricerca in Agronomia Ambientale ciclo xxiv Settore Scientifico Disciplinare: Agr/04

2. Elazar Fallik1*, Zoran Ilic’2 Grafted vegetables – the influence of rootstock and scion on postharvest quality Folia Hort. 26/2 (2014): 79-90

3. Jung-Myung Lee1 Cultivation of Grafted Vegetables I. Current Status, Grafting Methods, and Benefits Department of Horticulture, Kyung Hee University, Suwon 449-701, Korea

4. Colla, G., Suãrez, C.M.C., Cardarelli, M., Rouphael, Y., 2010a. Improving nitrogen use efficiency in melon by grafting. Hort Science 45, 559–565.

5. King, S.R., Davis, A.R., Liu, W., Levi, A., 2008. Grafting for disease resistance. Hort Science 43:1673–1676

6. Sakata, Y., Ohara, T., Sugiyama, M., 2007. The history and present state of the grafting of cucurbitaceous vegetables in Japan. Acta Hortic. 731, 159–170.

7. Singh, P.K., Gopalakrishnan, T.R., 1997. Grafting for wilt resistance and productivity in brinjal (Solanum melongena L.). Hortic. J. 10:57–61

8. KuBotA C., 2008. Use of grafted seedlings for vegetable production in North America. Acta Hort. 770: 21-28.

7. Brief note on Proprietary/Patent Perspective (for projects related to technology development)/Ethics/Animal Welfare/Bio Safety Issues

On the basis of information developed from this project it would be possible to understand the influence of root stock scion combination on nutrient removal and to identify the most suitable and efficient root stock. (a) Expected output

i. Understanding interaction effect of root stock and scion combination on nutrient acquisition, uptake and distribution

ii. Development of technique for best utilization of nutrient for improving yield potential.

.(b) Clientele/Stake holders (including economic and socio aspects)

i. Extension workers of state Department of Horticultureii. Development agencies

Signature

Project PI Co-PI Co-PI Co-PI

(RAGHUPATHI H B) (D. KALAIVANAN) (SHANKAR HEBBAR S) (R M BHAT)

9. Comments and signature

[Head of Division]

ANNEXURE- II

INDIAN COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH

RESEARCH PROJECT PROPOSAL PROFORMA FOR INITIATION OF A RESEARCH PROJECT (RPP - I)

(Refer for Guidelines ANNEXURE-XI (B))

1. Institute Project Code (to be provided by PME Cell)

2. Project Title: Influence of root stock and scion combinations on nutrient acquisition and utilization in Solanaceous Vegetable crops

3. Key Words: Root stock, Scion, Interaction, Vegetables, Nutrients

4. (a) Name of the Lead Institute:

ICAR- Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Hessaraghatta, Bangalore 560089

(b) Name of Division/ Regional Centre: Division of Soil Science & Agricultural

Chemistry

5. (a) Name of the Collaborating Institute(s), if any: Nil

(b) Name of Division/ Regional Centre/ Section of Collaborating Institute(s)

6. Project Team(Name(s) and designation of PI, CC-PI and all project Co-PIs, with time proposed to be spent)

S. No. Name, designation and institute

Status in the project (PI/CC-PI/ Co-PI)

Time to be spent (%)

Work components to be assigned to individual scientist

1 Raghupathi H B PI 40% Planning and execution of experiments. Raising of crop, collection of samples, analysis for nutrients2 D. Kalivanana Co-PI 30% Identification of potential root stocks, sampling strategy, Information on crop management practices, crop maintenance

3 S. Shankar Hebbar Co-PI 10% Providing planting material, Poly house etc.

4 R M Bhatt Co-PI 10% Studies on physiological parameters in grafted and un grafted plants

7. Priority Area to which the project belongs

(If not already in the priority area, give justification)

8. Project Duration: Date of Start: August 2017 Likely Date of Completion:

31st March 2020

9. (a) Objectives

1. To assess the differences in nutrient uptake and distribution pattern in vegetable

crops because of root stock and scion interaction

2. To identify and make an assessment of the nutrients which are amenable for

alternation through root stock

3. Development of nutrient management strategies to control nutritional or

physiological disorders based on root stock and scion relationship.

(b) Practical utility

1. Through identification of nutrient interaction and uptake pattern of root stock -scion combinations in vegetable crops, the best combination can be identified to realization of high yield potential and nutrient management.

2. By identifying the nutrients that are amenable for alternation the deficiency of nutrient in question can be prevented to improve the yield potential

3. Some of the nutritional and physiological disorders caused due to nutrient imbalance in vegetable crops can be solved

Activities and outputs details

Objective wise

Activity Month & Year of Output monitor able target(s)

% to be carried out indifferent years

Scientist(s)responsible

1 2 31. Studies on rootstock-scion

interaction effect on nutrient uptake and utilization efficiency in tomato and Brinjal

August 2017

June 2018

Identifying efficient rootstock for nutrient uptake and translocation efficiency

50 25 25 Dr H.B. RaghupathiDr D KalaivananDr. Shankara Hebbar

2. Assessment of nutrients which are amenable for alteration through rootstock

Comparison of physiological parameters in grafted and un-grafted plants

July 2018

July 2018

June 2019

June 2019

Identification of nutrients amenable for alternation

50 25 25 Dr H.B. RaghupathiDr D KalaivananDr R M Bhat

3. Development of nutrient management strategies to control nutritional disorder based on rootstock x scion relationships

July 2019

March 2020

Nutrient wise management strategies will be developed

50 50 Dr H.B. RaghupathiDr D KalaivananDr. Shankara Hebbar

4.

10. Technical Programme (brief)

I Year wise plan of work

Year 2017-18

Crop: Solanaceae vegetable crop – Tomato and brinjal Number of root stock :10 each of tomato and brinjal Tomato hybrid (Institute released) will be used as scion Raising grafted tomato crop under pot culture studies Monitoring of nutrient concentration Monitoring of growth and yield parameters Identification of nutrients exhibiting high acquisition among different

combination of rot stock and scion

Year 2018-19

Field experimentation with selected root stock and scion combinations Based on nutrient concentration and uptake pattern three best root stock

will be selected and tried in field Monitoring nutrient concentration and uptake at flowering and harvest Observation on growth and yield attributes

Year 2019-2020

Field experimentation on different root stock and scion combinations with graded dose of nutrients (Calcium and zinc)

Study of variation in acquisition and mobilization of as influenced by external application

Monitoring of changes in nutrient concentration and uptake II Nutrients to be monitored

i) Major nutrients N, P and Kii) Secondary nutrients C, Mg and Siii) Micronutrients Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu

III Observations to be recorded

i) Growth parametersii) Yield attributesiii) Fresh weight and dry weightiv) Total nutrient removal and uptakev) Incidence of nutritional disorders

(a) Instrumentation(b) Special material(c) Analytical tools

11. Financial Implications (` in Lakhs)

(A) Financed by the institute

12.1 Manpower (Salaries / Wages)

Sl.NO Staff Category Man months Cost ( in Lakhs)1. Scientific 30 252. Technical 24 153. Supporting 20 154. SRFs/RAs - -5. Contractual 36 12

Total 110 67

12.2 Research/Recurring Contingency

Sl. No. Item Year (1) Year (2) Year (3) Total1. Consumables 0.50 0.50 0.50 1.52. Travel 0.50 0.50 0.75 3.03. Field - -4. Inter- - -5. Animal/Green - -6 Miscellaneous 0.75 0.75 0.503.25

Total(Recurrin 1.75 1.75 1.75 9.25

Justification: Contingency is required for conducting pot culture and field experiments and for collection of soil and plant samples. Consumables like chemicals, glassware etc. is necessary to carry out the laboratory analysis.

12.3 Non-recurring (Equipment) (Rs. In lakhs)

S. Item Year (1) Year Year (3) Total1. AMC for 0.5 0.5 0.5 1.502. Spares for 1.0 1.0 1.0 6.03 Nitrogen 1.5 - - 1.5

Total (Non- 9.0

Justification: Maintenance and spares are essential for keeping the instruments in working condition.

12.4 Any Other Special Facility required (including cost)

12.5 Grand Total (12.1 to 12.4): 85.25 lakhs

(B) Financed by an organization other than the Institute (if applicable) : NA(i) Name of Financing Organization : NA(ii) Total Budget of the Project : NA(iii) Budget details : NA

13. Expected Output In many of the horticultural crops the yield reduction is considerable due to

deficiency of nutrients and therefore leaf analysis is carried out to determine the nutrient levels. The understanding of nutrient behaviour due to root stock and scion interaction in vegetable crops is required for realization of high yield potential.

14. Expected Benefits in Economic Terms

Identification of beneficial effects of root stock in vegetable cultivation helps in enhancing yield potential of released hybrid.

Through timely correction of nutrient deficiency, the yield potential is enhanced and thereby higher returns.

Improving the best use of natural resources like soil water and nutrient in production of vegetable crops.

15. Risk Analysis

i) The root stock and scion combination selected for the study may have

differing significant influence on concentration of nutrients due to over

whelming influence of environmental factors and there by vitiating

nutrient concentration in plant

16. Signature

Project PI Co-PI Co-PI Co-PI

(RAGHUPATHI H B) (D. KALAIVANAN) (SHANKAR HEBBAR S) (R M BHAT)

17. Signature of Head of Division

18. Signature of JD (R)/ Director

ANNEXURE - III

INDIAN COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCHCHECKLIST FOR SUBMISSION OF RPP-I

(Refer for Guidelines ANNEXURE-XI(C))

1. Project Title: Influence of root stock and scion combinations on nutrient acquisition and utilization in Solanaceous Vegetable crops

2. Date of Start & Duration : August 2017

3. Institute Project or Externally Funded: Institute Project 4. Estimated Cost of the Project : 155 lakhs5. Project Presented in the Divisional/Institutional Seminar? Yes6. Have suggested modifications incorporated? Yes7. Status Report enclosed Yes / No8. Details of work load of investigators in approved ongoing projects:

Proj. % Time Proj. Date of

Code. spent Code. completion

Research projects as PI

40% ongoing 40 ongoing 40% ongoing 40% ongoing

Collaborative projects within institute

20% ongoing 30 ongoing 20% ongoing 20% ongoing

Collaborative projects outside institute

30% ongoing 15 ongoing 20% ongoing 20% ongoing

Others 10% ongoing 15 ongoing 20% ongoing 20% ongoing

% Time spent

Date of start

Date of completion

Project PI Project Co-PI CO-PI

Date of start

Date of completion

% Time spent

Date of start

% Time spent

Date of start

Date of completion

9. Work Plan/Activity Chart enclosed yes / No10. Included in Institute Plan Activity Yes / No11. Any previous Institute/Adhoc/Foreign aided projects on similar lines? Yes / No12. New equipment required for the project Yes / No13. Funds available for new equipment Yes / No14. Signatures

Project Leader Co-PI Co-PI Co-PI

(RAGHUPATHI H B) (D. KALAIVANAN) (SHANKAR HEBBAR S) ( R M BHAT)

HOD/PD/I/c

ANNEXURE - IV

INDIAN COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH

APPRAISAL BY THE PME CELL OF RPP-I

(Refer for Guidelines ANNEXURE-XI (D))

1. Institute Name: Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bangalore

2 Influence of root stock and scion combinations on nutrient acquisition and utilization in

Solanaceous vegetable crops

3. On scale 1-10 give score to (a) to (j)

(a) Relevance of research questions

(b) Addressing priority of the institute and/or National priority

(c) New innovativeness expected in the study

(d) Appropriateness of design/techniques for the questions to be answered

(e) Elements of bias addressed in the study

(f) Adequacy of scientist(s) time allocation

(g) Extent of system review and meta-analysis

(h) Effective control to experiments

(i) Economic evaluation and cost efficiency analysis

(j) How appropriately the expected output answers the questions being addressed in the specific subject matter/area (Basic/Applied/Translational/Others)?

*Total Score out of 100

* The score obtained is suggestive of the overall quality ranking of the project

4. Was there any other project carried in the past in the same area/topic?

Yes No Yes

If yes, list the project numbers. HORTIIHRCIL2013080

5. Signature of PME Cell In-charge

Technical Programme for the year 2017-18

Title of the project

Soil, Nutrient and Water Management in Horticultural Crops and Cropping Systems

Project No.: HORTIIHRCIL2015 080

Title of Sub-Project

Influence of root stock and scion combinations on nutrient acquisition and utilization in Solanaceous Vegetable crops

Principal Investigator

Dr. H B RAGHUPATHI

Principal Scientist

Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry

Indian Institute of Horticultural Research

Technical Programme for the year 2017-18

Division: Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry

Laboratory:

Project Number & Title: Project No. – HORTIIHRCIL2015080: Soil, nutrient and water management in horticultural crops and cropping systems.

Name of the Project Leader: Dr. H.B. RAGHUPATHI

Sub-Project Number & Title: Influence of root stock and scion combinations on nutrient acquisition and utilization in Solanaceous Vegetable crops

Name of the Principal Investigator: H B RAGHUPATHI

Names of the Co-PI’s:

S. No. Name, designation and institute

Status in the project

1 H B Raghupathi PI

2 D. Kalaivanan Co-PI

3 S. Shankar Hebbar Co-PI

4 R M Bhatt Co-PI

Objectives:

1. To assess the differences in nutrient uptake and distribution pattern in vegetable

crops because of root stock and scion interaction

2. To identify and make an assessment of the nutrients which are amenable for

alternation through root stock

3. Development of nutrient management strategies to control nutritional or

physiological disorders based on root stock and scion relationship.

Salient Achievements up to date (since the Start of Sub-Project)(In bullet form only; (Not exceeding 1 – 1 ½ pages)

New project proposal was approved during September 2017 and preliminary work on effect of different root stock has been initiated

Salient Achievements for the year 2016-17 (In bullets):

Number of Publications in this Sub-Project (since its start) with details: NA

Technical Program for the year 2017-18

Expt. No.

Title of the Experiment Treat/Replication Observations to be recorded

1. Effect of root stock on growth and nutrient acquisitionCrop: Solanaceae vegetable crop – Tomato

10 root socks Number of root stock :10 each of tomato and brinjalTomato hybrid (Institute released) will be used as scionRaising grafted tomato crop under pot culture studies

Growth parameter Viz Number of branches, height etc.Dry weight accumulationObservation to be recorded at flowering and harvest stages.

Nutrient to be studied N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Zn and CuComputation of uptake of nutrient based on dry matter accumulation.

2. Identification of nutrients exhibiting high acquisition among different combination of root stock and scion

10 root stocks Monitoring of nutrient concentration and comparison of nutrient accumulation and uptake pattern with non-grafted plants.Establishing relationship with growth and yield parameters

Signature of the Project Leader:

(RAGHUPATHI H B)

Signature of the Principal Investigator:

(RAGHUPATHI H B)

Signature of the Head:(A N GANESHAMURTHY)

Signature of the Director