Effect of grafting on shelf quality and life in tomato hybrids

Abstract

Grafting is a technique in tomato cultivation (Solanum lycopersicum L.) that is increasingly accepted worldwide not only for the management of soil diseases, but also gives the plant tolerance to abiotic stress, vigorous growth, higher yield and improved fruit quality. In Cuba it is a novel technology, that is why this work aims to evaluate the effect of grafting on shelf quality and life in tomato hybrids at the Institute of Horticulture Researcher "Liliana Dimitrova" (IIHLD). The hybrids evaluated were: 'Aegen F1' of the commercial firm Hazera and 'LTM-12 F1' of the IIHLD, grafted on the rootstock 'Rossol'. Four treatments were established with three repetitions, derived from the graft/rootstock combinations (T1Aegen F1/Rossol) T2 'LTM 12 F1'/ Rossol, T3 witness 'Aegen F1' and T4 witness 'LTM-12 F1'), in a completely randomized design. The following evaluations were carried out, at the beginning the content of acidity (%), soluble solids (oBrix), pH, firmness (N) and sensory tests were determined, then the fruits were preserved at a temperature between 20.6 °C - 21.8 °C and at the beginning, 2, 5, 8, 12 and 16 days of life on the shelf assessed mass losses by physiological activity (PMAF %). The results indicate that the grafting technique did not affect the content of soluble solids, pH and acidity, with values in correspondence with what was established for the crop, the firmness was greater in the grafted fruits, in the same way the sensory quality showed better consumer acceptance, grafted treatments and the 'LTM-12 F1' control maintained marketable characteristics up to 12 days on shelf while the fruits of the 'Aegen F1' treatment extended shelf life to 16 days.