Brinjal Grafting catching up

The Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) has evolved a technology – grafting technology – to boost the yield of brinjal.

Stating that grafting technology, particularly in vegetable crops, is widely prevalent in most foreign countries, L Pugalendhi, Dean, Horticulture, told BusinessLine that the University “is in the process of bringing this technology here with the locally available rootstock”.

“It is a method of propagation to boost plant growth by increasing the uptake of nutrients and developing resistance to soil borne diseases with suitable rootstocks. Brinjal plant is highly susceptible to pests and diseases. So, we decided to address this first with the preparation of rootstock of non bitter Solanum torvum (found mostly in grave yards) with the seedling of any high yielding variety/ hybrid.

Comparing this technology with the conventional breeding system, he said: “Normally, the plant is shallow-rooted. But grafting is different. After beheading the top of rootstock, a small slit is made to accommodate the brinjal seedling and the two are tied using grafting clips or polythene strips. The grafted plant is placed in a mist chamber for three to five days before being transferred to shade net. It would take a month-and-a-half to produce brinjal grafts.

The grafts are then transplanted in the field. The study revealed that the root of the grafts run deep into the soil, does not require as much water, is resistant to nematodes and dry root rot and above all the plant duration can be extended to a year. There is a three-fold increase in yield over conventional seedling.

The University has, after successful completion of field trials, released this technology and imparted training to around 300 farmers.

Pugalendhi said that the (Horticulture) department is now working on developing this technology on tomato, cucumber and bitter gourd. “Evaluation studies are in progress. It could take a while to commercialise the technology,” he added.

COMMENT NOW