Performance of grafted tomato using rootstocks of different eggplant cultivars

This study examined grafting as an agronomic strategy to enhance the productivity of hybrid tomatoes cultivated in open-field conditions, with a particular focus on improving fruit size, weight and overall yield. The experiment employed a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates to ensure robust and statistically valid results. Five treatments were evaluated: (T1) non-grafted tomato, (T2) tomato grafted onto wild eggplant (red), (T3) wild eggplant (green), (T4) open pollinated variety (OPV) eggplant and (T5) hybrid eggplant. Key performance indicators measured included the number of fruits per plant, average fruit size and total yield per treatment. Results showed that plants grafted onto wild green, OPV and Hybrid eggplant rootstocks consistently produced a higher number of fruits compared to the non-grafted control. In terms of fruit size, both wild green and wild red eggplant rootstocks yielded larger fruits, indicating their strong potential for enhancing marketable quality. Furthermore, the highest total yields were obtained from tomatoes grafted onto wild green and hybrid eggplant rootstocks, suggesting their suitability for maximizing production efficiency. These findings highlight that the selection of appropriate rootstocks, particularly wild green and hybrid eggplant, can significantly improve hybrid tomato performance. Beyond productivity gains, grafting offers added benefits such as improved plant vigor, enhanced tolerance to soil borne diseases and greater resilience to environmental stresses. As such, this technique represents a practical and sustainable approach for commercial tomato growers seeking to increase yield and profitability while supporting long-term agricultural sustainability.