Compatibility of tomato cultivar Santa Cruz Kada grafted on different Solanaceae species and control of bacterial wilt

ABSTRACT The objective of this work was to evaluate the compatibility, gas exchange and yield of tomato cultivar Santa Cruz Kada, susceptible to bacterial wilt (Ralstonia solanacearum) when grafted on different Solanaceae species. Rootstock sources were the mini-tomato RVTC-66, Cayenne pepper, Jerusalem cherry (Solanum pseudocapsicum), sticky nightshade (Solanum sisymbriifolium), and cultivar Santa Cruz Kada itself (self-grafting). Two materials were tested to promote the union between rootstocks and scions: grafting clips and biodegradable tape (Parafilm). Grafting success index (GSI) was evaluated and, for treatments using biodegradable tape, grafting incompatibility, gas exchange, agronomic characteristics and bacterial wilt epidemiology were assessed throughout the cycle. The use of biodegradable tape favored graft healing. Cayenne pepper, Jerusalem cherry, and sticky nightshade should not be employed as rootstocks for scions of tomato cultivar Santa Cruz Kada. The mini-tomato accession RVTC-66 showed low graft incompatibility, high photosynthetic efficiency and, when compared to self-grafting, the same fruit production, but with higher plant health index concerning the bacterial wilt.