Enhancing Tomato Yield and Stress Resilience through Grafting: A Study in Kalahandi District of Odisha, India

Abstract

In this study attempt has been made to evaluate the performance of grafted tomato SAHOO variety in comparison to non-grafted tomato (NGT) and local tomato (LT) varieties under rainfed conditions in Kalahandi district, Odisha, during the Kharif 2024 season. The experiment was carried out under the NICRA project of KVK Kalahandi to enhance climate resilient tomato cultivation under water stress and changing climatic situations of the region. The results revealed that the grafted tomato plants exhibited increased growth, yield, and stress tolerance compared to non-grafted and local tomato varieties. The grafted plants resulted in increased plant height, greater fruit weight, and higher yield (215.8 kg/ha) compared to NGT (178.6 kg/ha) and LT (158.7 kg/ha) varieties. Additionally, grafted tomato plants had a longer active fruiting period of 45 up to days as compared to 30 days of active fruiting period for non-grafted tomato varieties, and lower wilting incidence of 4 seedlings vs. 76 plants wilting in NGT, that highlighted the enhanced drought and disease resistance. The grafting technique also resulted in higher seedling establishment, survival rates, and resilience under environmental stress, expected to open a new promising solution for tomato cultivation in water-stress areas. Economically, grafted tomatoes have higher market value due to their better fruit quality, higher yield, and reduced losses due to less damage of fruits, making grafted tomato cultivation technology a cost-effective strategy for farmers despite initial grafting expenses. This technology has demonstrated the efficacy of tomato grafting as a sustainable, climate-smart agricultural practice in rainfed areas like Kalahandi District.  The findings of the study support the greater adoption of grafting technology in tomato to improve tomato productivity and farm profitability in rainfed, drought-prone regions.