Rootstocks and Grafting of Tomatoes, Peppers and Eggplants for Soil-borne Disease Resistance, Improved Yield and Quality

Grafting of the Solanaceae is an environmentally friendly operation which reduces the incidence of crop infection by soil-borne diseases and reduces the population of soil-borne pathogens in a similar way to the application of crop rotation. Selection and use of highly compatible rootstocks, with resistance to soil-borne diseases and nematodes, allows the cultivation of high quality cultivars which otherwise would be sensitive to infested soils. Production of these cultivars is demanded by the consumers, so grafting enables favorable competition both for conventional and organic farming. Moreover, grafting protects the grower from exposure to harmful chemicals used for soil sterilization, and the consumer is protected from their residues.