Source: AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE submitted to
VEGETABLE GRAFTING FOR RESISTANCE TO SOILBORNE DISEASES
Sponsoring Institution
Agricultural Research Service/USDA
Project Status
TERMINATED
Funding Source
USDA INHOUSE
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0412749
Grant No.
(N/A)
Project No.
6618-22000-035-00D
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Program Code
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Jan 8, 2008
Project End Date
Dec 6, 2012
Grant Year
(N/A)
Project Director
BAUSHER M G
Recipient Organization
AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE
219 SOUTH ROCK ROAD
FT PIERCE,FL 34945
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
(N/A)
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
10%
Applied
30%
Developmental
60%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
2011460102070%
2121461108020%
2011469116010%
Knowledge Area
212 - Pathogens and Nematodes Affecting Plants; 201 - Plant Genome, Genetics, and Genetic Mechanisms;

Subject Of Investigation
1461 - Peppers; 1469 - Solanaceous and related crops, general/other; 1460 - Tomato;

Field Of Science
1080 - Genetics; 1020 - Physiology; 1160 - Pathology;
Goals / Objectives
Obj. 1: Identify available germplasm resistant to soilborne diseases and pests currently being controlled by pre-plant soil fumigation with methyl bromide for use as grafting rootstocks for Solanaceous vegetables, primarily tomato and pepper. Obj. 2: For selected rootstock germplasm shown to be effective for management of soilborne pests and pathogens of economic importance in the southeastern United States, describe rootstock-scion interactions that influence plant growth, fruit yield, fruit quality, and other important horticultural traits. Obj. 3: For selected rootstock-scion combinations shown to have an acceptable resistance to soilborne pests and pathogens and produce fruit of acceptable quality, evaluate under field conditions, similar to those used for commercial production, the plant growth, fruit yield, fruit quality, and other important horticultural traits that contribute to the economic feasibility of grafting.
Project Methods
Identify rootstock and scion germplasm material which have traits that resist diseases commonly found in the Southeastern U.S. currently controlled by methyl bromide. Screen available rootstock material for compatibility using current and new techniques. Select and evaluate rootstock and scion combinations for initial disease resistance and adaptation to current and new cultural technique. Determine the influence of rootstock/scion combinations on the horticultural characteristics of fruit including fruit appearance pre and post harvest quality, flavor, time to maturity, and yield. Develop techniques to evaluate the growth and development of the plant combinations under biotic and abiotic stress and evaluate grafted plant performance under varying cultural conditions.

Progress 01/08/08 to 12/06/12

Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416): Obj. 1: Identify available germplasm resistant to soilborne diseases and pests currently being controlled by pre-plant soil fumigation with methyl bromide for use as grafting rootstocks for Solanaceous vegetables, primarily tomato and pepper. Obj. 2: For selected rootstock germplasm shown to be effective for management of soilborne pests and pathogens of economic importance in the southeastern United States, describe rootstock-scion interactions that influence plant growth, fruit yield, fruit quality, and other important horticultural traits. Obj. 3: For selected rootstock-scion combinations shown to have an acceptable resistance to soilborne pests and pathogens and produce fruit of acceptable quality, evaluate under field conditions, similar to those used for commercial production, the plant growth, fruit yield, fruit quality, and other important horticultural traits that contribute to the economic feasibility of grafting. Approach (from AD-416): Identify rootstock and scion germplasm material which have traits that resist diseases commonly found in the Southeastern U.S. currently controlled by methyl bromide. Screen available rootstock material for compatibility using current and new techniques. Select and evaluate rootstock and scion combinations for initial disease resistance and adaptation to current and new cultural technique. Determine the influence of rootstock/scion combinations on the horticultural characteristics of fruit including fruit appearance pre and post harvest quality, flavor, time to maturity, and yield. Develop techniques to evaluate the growth and development of the plant combinations under biotic and abiotic stress and evaluate grafted plant performance under varying cultural conditions. Two tomato grafting field trials were conducted over the 2012/2013 tomato growing season in the southeastern Florida production region. Trial 1 was in cooperation with Alderman Farms on their 300 acre organic farm in Loxahatchee, Florida. Trial 2 was in cooperation with Big Red Tomato Packers and Diamond Tomato Partnership on their 450 acre conventional farm in Fort Pierce, Florida. Tomato transplants for both trials were grown and grafted at the US Horticultural Research Laboratory in Fort Pierce, FL. Both trials were harvested and graded by the commercial grower to ensure that pack-out and marketable yield data was truly representative of a commercial production scenario. To facilitate grading of harvested fruit by the grower, each rootstock/scion combination was planted in one large plot without replications. The performance of individual rootstocks varied depending upon the scion used and the location of the trial. For example, at the organic farm, marketable yield of Tribute grafted onto Multifort rootstock was 73% greater than FL-91 grafted onto the same rootstock. Cheong Gang was the highest producing rootstock at the organic location but was one of the lowest producing rootstocks at the conventional location. The results indicate that under commercial tomato production scenarios, yields of various rootstock/scion combinations can vary from farm to farm and season to season. Trial 1- Organic Farm: Seedlings were planted between August 13 to 21 into individual cells of plastic seedling trays (288 cells per tray). Seedlings were grafted between September 7 to 12. Grafting was accomplished by clipping the scions at the soil level and the rootstock below the cotyledon. Cuts were made at a 70 degree angle. Scions and rootstocks were placed into the appropriately sized grafting clip so that their cut edges were joined together. Grafting seedlings were placed in a growth chamber with 100% humidity for 7 to 10 days. All grafted seedlings were transplanted into the field on October 22. Large, single row plots were used to facilitate grower harvesting and collection of pack-out data. Plots were harvested on January 25 and February 4, 2013. Fruit was sorted based on quality but was not sized. Plots were surveyed for the incidence of plant disease (Fusarium wilt, Fusarium crown rot, and Sclerotium rolfsii) and severity of root galling by Meloidogyne species at the second harvest. Disease incidence and severity of root galling were less than 1% for all rootstock/scion combinations.

Impacts
(N/A)

Publications


    Progress 10/01/11 to 09/30/12

    Outputs
    Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416): Obj. 1: Identify available germplasm resistant to soilborne diseases and pests currently being controlled by pre-plant soil fumigation with methyl bromide for use as grafting rootstocks for Solanaceous vegetables, primarily tomato and pepper. Obj. 2: For selected rootstock germplasm shown to be effective for management of soilborne pests and pathogens of economic importance in the southeastern United States, describe rootstock-scion interactions that influence plant growth, fruit yield, fruit quality, and other important horticultural traits. Obj. 3: For selected rootstock-scion combinations shown to have an acceptable resistance to soilborne pests and pathogens and produce fruit of acceptable quality, evaluate under field conditions, similar to those used for commercial production, the plant growth, fruit yield, fruit quality, and other important horticultural traits that contribute to the economic feasibility of grafting. Approach (from AD-416): Identify rootstock and scion germplasm material which have traits that resist diseases commonly found in the Southeastern U.S. currently controlled by methyl bromide. Screen available rootstock material for compatibility using current and new techniques. Select and evaluate rootstock and scion combinations for initial disease resistance and adaptation to current and new cultural technique. Determine the influence of rootstock/scion combinations on the horticultural characteristics of fruit including fruit appearance pre and post harvest quality, flavor, time to maturity, and yield. Develop techniques to evaluate the growth and development of the plant combinations under biotic and abiotic stress and evaluate grafted plant performance under varying cultural conditions. During the year 32 different rootstocks were used in various studies to determine their suitability for use in open field production situations. This work is in collaboration with two growers to set up field tests of tomato rootstocks. Contacted 12 seed companies for information on new and promising germplasm and have procured new testing materials. ARS scientist conducted experiments using new grafting techniques and resulting survival of plants. Devised and carried out studies on virus transmission occurrence during grafting. Ran experiments on soils which were detrimental to young plant growth and determined possible cause. We maximized the use of space for producing grafted plants by adopting the use of high density trays and allowed double the production of grafted plants. Our laboratory instituted collaboration on inducible resistance techniques for tomato rootstocks. Advised local small growers on grafting techniques for vegetables by demonstration and conference calls based on their interest in published materials. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations: Advised 5 local small growers on grafting techniques for vegetables. Accomplishments 01 Grafting tools are not capable of transmitting tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV). ARS researchers at U.S. Horticultural Laboratory, Fort Pierce, Florida determined that grafting tools are not capable of transmitting TSWV. This is probably due to the instability of the virus on the blade once it is removed from the plant. The blade surface is probably not capable of stabilizing the virus. The presence or absence of the viruses was confirmed by immunoassay techniques. The researchers also found that under high temperature conditions usually found in greenhouse during the Fall in Florida tomato mosaic virus is difficult to detect visually, but is easily transmitted from plant to plant by serial grafts using contaminated tools and is a useful finding for propagators. 02 New grafting techniques. Graft angle has a profound effect on the survival of herbaceous grafted plants concerning survival before and primarily after planting in open field production. Initial survival afte were increased with these methods which involve making the angled cuts a an angle at 70 degrees rather than the 20 or 45 degrees. The greater ang exposes more surface area to allow greater cell to cell contact. Also, t graft angle influences the ability to separate the rootstock and scion b force. The greater the graft angle the greater the force necessary to separate the graft union. This is an important factor when planting plan in open field production where conditions of wind and rain events can compromise plant survival. The increased survivability using this method will reduce the need for overplanting by as much as 30%.

    Impacts
    (N/A)

    Publications


      Progress 10/01/10 to 09/30/11

      Outputs
      Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) Obj. 1: Identify available germplasm resistant to soilborne diseases and pests currently being controlled by pre-plant soil fumigation with methyl bromide for use as grafting rootstocks for Solanaceous vegetables, primarily tomato and pepper. Obj. 2: For selected rootstock germplasm shown to be effective for management of soilborne pests and pathogens of economic importance in the southeastern United States, describe rootstock-scion interactions that influence plant growth, fruit yield, fruit quality, and other important horticultural traits. Obj. 3: For selected rootstock-scion combinations shown to have an acceptable resistance to soilborne pests and pathogens and produce fruit of acceptable quality, evaluate under field conditions, similar to those used for commercial production, the plant growth, fruit yield, fruit quality, and other important horticultural traits that contribute to the economic feasibility of grafting. Approach (from AD-416) Identify rootstock and scion germplasm material which have traits that resist diseases commonly found in the Southeastern U.S. currently controlled by methyl bromide. Screen available rootstock material for compatibility using current and new techniques. Select and evaluate rootstock and scion combinations for initial disease resistance and adaptation to current and new cultural technique. Determine the influence of rootstock/scion combinations on the horticultural characteristics of fruit including fruit appearance pre and post harvest quality, flavor, time to maturity, and yield. Develop techniques to evaluate the growth and development of the plant combinations under biotic and abiotic stress and evaluate grafted plant performance under varying cultural conditions. Actual progress includes: 1) the determination of the ability of two important disease of tomato to be transmitted by cutting devices during the grafting process; 2) open field trials of 17 rootstocks for disease resistance and yield under conventional and organic farming practices; 3) determined the quality differences of grafted and ungrafted plants using analytical techniques; 4) continued investigation of resistance of pepper rootstocks to disease and nematode attack; 5) tested a number of grafting techniques to increase efficiency of survival for tomato; and 6) continued to test rearing techniques including environmental impact on grafted plant survival. Accomplishments 01 Tomato spotted wilt virus was found not to be transmitted by mechanical means through the cutting device. This was not true of Tobacco Mosaic Virus which was easily transmitted by a single razor cut to over 35 plan This is an important finding in that the use of plants which have been exposed to the virus can easily be a source to inoculate many more plant in the grafting process. These experiments were repeated a number of times with the same results. 02 Field experiments with tomato rootstocks yield increases of yield up to 22% over the nongrafted controls. These increases in yield were also coupled with increases in overall plant vigor in some cases. These results were accomplished under organic growing conditions, without fumigation. Field results were confounded by three freezing events whic completely eliminated the conventional field plots. Initial indications of resistance by some rootstocks in field experiments proved inadequate stave off freezing damage with subsequent events with loss of the entire field.

      Impacts
      (N/A)

      Publications

      • Bausher, M.G. 2011. Grafting Technique to Eliminate Rootstock Suckering of Grafted Tomatoes. HortScience. 46(4):596-598.


      Progress 10/01/09 to 09/30/10

      Outputs
      Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) Obj. 1: Identify available germplasm resistant to soilborne diseases and pests currently being controlled by pre-plant soil fumigation with methyl bromide for use as grafting rootstocks for Solanaceous vegetables, primarily tomato and pepper. Obj. 2: For selected rootstock germplasm shown to be effective for management of soilborne pests and pathogens of economic importance in the southeastern United States, describe rootstock-scion interactions that influence plant growth, fruit yield, fruit quality, and other important horticultural traits. Obj. 3: For selected rootstock-scion combinations shown to have an acceptable resistance to soilborne pests and pathogens and produce fruit of acceptable quality, evaluate under field conditions, similar to those used for commercial production, the plant growth, fruit yield, fruit quality, and other important horticultural traits that contribute to the economic feasibility of grafting. Approach (from AD-416) Identify rootstock and scion germplasm material which have traits that resist diseases commonly found in the Southeastern U.S. currently controlled by methyl bromide. Screen available rootstock material for compatibility using current and new techniques. Select and evaluate rootstock and scion combinations for initial disease resistance and adaptation to current and new cultural technique. Determine the influence of rootstock/scion combinations on the horticultural characteristics of fruit including fruit appearance pre and post harvest quality, flavor, time to maturity, and yield. Develop techniques to evaluate the growth and development of the plant combinations under biotic and abiotic stress and evaluate grafted plant performance under varying cultural conditions. During this report period research results indicated that we can get grafting take of peppers of 95% or better with the improved healing conditions. This increased the availability of plants to use in experiments for rootknot nematode experiments and use for field experimentation. We obtained new sources of pepper varieties for evaluation from commercial and USDA breeders for new disease and nematode experiments and found them compatible with 5 commercial varieties. Completed 3 commercial trials of tomatoes grafted on up to 10 rootstock combinations. These trials were performed with the cooperation of commercial growers under commercial conditions of care and harvesting. Set up and experiments investigating the influence of rootstocks on the etiology of Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl on tomato. Concluded with collaborators initial field studies on tomato under non fumigated soils using both conventional and certified organic conditions. Data is currently being analyzed. Accomplishments 01 Open pollinated sources of tomato can impart root-knot nematode resistan when grafted as the rootstock. We found that open pollinated sources of tomato can impart root-knot nematode resistance to susceptible commercia varieties with desirable horticultural properties but limited nematode resistance. The first greenhouse studies were established with grafted tomatoes planted in nonfumigated soil. These studies seek to find the influence of indigenous populations of soil microorganisms on the growth and development of grafted tomato plants.

      Impacts
      (N/A)

      Publications


        Progress 10/01/08 to 09/30/09

        Outputs
        Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) Obj. 1: Identify available germplasm resistant to soilborne diseases and pests currently being controlled by pre-plant soil fumigation with methyl bromide for use as grafting rootstocks for Solanaceous vegetables, primarily tomato and pepper. Obj. 2: For selected rootstock germplasm shown to be effective for management of soilborne pests and pathogens of economic importance in the southeastern United States, describe rootstock-scion interactions that influence plant growth, fruit yield, fruit quality, and other important horticultural traits. Obj. 3: For selected rootstock-scion combinations shown to have an acceptable resistance to soilborne pests and pathogens and produce fruit of acceptable quality, evaluate under field conditions, similar to those used for commercial production, the plant growth, fruit yield, fruit quality, and other important horticultural traits that contribute to the economic feasibility of grafting. Approach (from AD-416) Identify rootstock and scion germplasm material which have traits that resist diseases commonly found in the Southeastern U.S. currently controlled by methyl bromide. Screen available rootstock material for compatibility using current and new techniques. Select and evaluate rootstock and scion combinations for initial disease resistance and adaptation to current and new cultural technique. Determine the influence of rootstock/scion combinations on the horticultural characteristics of fruit including fruit appearance pre and post harvest quality, flavor, time to maturity, and yield. Develop techniques to evaluate the growth and development of the plant combinations under biotic and abiotic stress and evaluate grafted plant performance under varying cultural conditions. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations In the past year, we found that a number of USDA developed rootstocks may be useful in resistance to the common root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita. Furthermore, these rootstocks were compatible with the scion (top part of the plant). It is possible to graft these rootstocks to varieties having no resistance to M. incognita root-knot nematode. Demonstrated mechanical grafting of peppers is possible. Developed a specialized room with environmental conditions that favor healing of scion/rootstock and increased successful graft combinations. Set up first experiments using a commercial pepper variety grafted on nematode resistant rootstocks and grown in non fumigated soil. We are repeating these experiments to test the reliability of the rootstocks.

        Impacts
        (N/A)

        Publications

        • Burelle, N.K., Bausher, M.G., Rosskopf, E.N. 2009. Greenhouse evaluation of capsicum rootstocks for management of meloidogyne incognita on grafted bell pepper. Nematropica.


        Progress 10/01/07 to 09/30/08

        Outputs
        Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) Obj. 1: Identify available germplasm resistant to soilborne diseases and pests currently being controlled by pre-plant soil fumigation with methyl bromide for use as grafting rootstocks for Solanaceous vegetables, primarily tomato and pepper. Obj. 2: For selected rootstock germplasm shown to be effective for management of soilborne pests and pathogens of economic importance in the southeastern United States, describe rootstock-scion interactions that influence plant growth, fruit yield, fruit quality, and other important horticultural traits. Obj. 3: For selected rootstock-scion combinations shown to have an acceptable resistance to soilborne pests and pathogens and produce fruit of acceptable quality, evaluate under field conditions, similar to those used for commercial production, the plant growth, fruit yield, fruit quality, and other important horticultural traits that contribute to the economic feasibility of grafting. Approach (from AD-416) Identify rootstock and scion germplasm material which have traits that resist diseases commonly found in the Southeastern U.S. currently controlled by methyl bromide. Screen available rootstock material for compatibility using current and new techniques. Select and evaluate rootstock and scion combinations for initial disease resistance and adaptation to current and new cultural technique. Determine the influence of rootstock/scion combinations on the horticultural characteristics of fruit including fruit appearance pre and post harvest quality, flavor, time to maturity, and yield. Develop techniques to evaluate the growth and development of the plant combinations under biotic and abiotic stress and evaluate grafted plant performance under varying cultural conditions. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations This project was approved in January, 2008 and replaces 6618-22000-033- 00D which was terminated at that time. This project is in support of National Program 302 Plant Biological and Molecular Process - as related to the mechanisms of and chemistry of biologically active products from genes which have an influence on the pest resistance and quality of crop species and NP 308 Methyl Bromide Alternatives - using biological alternatives including resistant plants as a means to protect crops from pathogen infestations.

        Impacts
        (N/A)

        Publications