Rootstock-scion combinations affect chemical contents of Tomato and its productivity

This study was conducted in the greenhouse of the experimental station of the Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Benha University, to investigate the possibility of improving the production and quality of tomato crops using grafting technology. Two tomato cultivars (Reem and Karnak) were grafted onto four rootstocks (Heman, 1G-48-6031, 1G-48-6032 and Edkawy), and their effects on growth, yield and fruits quality were evaluated, compared to non-grafted or self-grafted plants. The results showed that all investigated factors "cultivar of scion, variety of rootstocks and rootstock-scion combinations" affected significantly tomato growth, chemical contents, fruit quality and fruit yield. The grafting treatments increased tomato growth, leaves nutrients contents and fruit yield compared to non-grafted plants of both cultivars. In comparison with non-grafted plants, grafting both cultivars on Heman, 1G-48-6031 and 1G-48-6032 rootstocks generally increased fruit yield as average by 67.3, 41.0, and 50.0%, respectively, and improved chemical contents of fruits.