Progress 08/01/07 to 01/31/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Grafted vegetables are integral to production systems ranging from hydroponic greenhouses to subsistence agriculture. This diversity of use suggests a role for grafting in high value cropping systems such as organic production. Our specific objectives, using tomato production as a model, are to 1) test the feasibility of using rootstocks (RS) in soil-based organic vegetable production systems; 2) quantify the effects of grafting and RS on yield and quality; 3) test the hypothesis that genetic distance between parents would predict RS performance; and 4) provide growers with research based information relative to grafting. We tested commercial and experimental RS in OH, NC and MN under organic management in open-field and high tunnel conditions over three years. We also tested RS in organic high-tunnel production under two irrigation regimes. During the course of these studies, grafts to the scion "Celebrity", "NC84173", Ohio FG99-218 (a high lycopene line), and various "heirloom" varieties were evaluated. Grafted plants showed an increased yield (relative to un-grafted controls) of up to 25% under standard irrigation and 40% under deficit irrigation. However, only a few of over 36 RS proved to be statistically better than the un-grafted or self-grafted controls; several performed worse. When we consider the relationship between genetic distance (GD) of parents used to create hybrid RS, there is a positive correlation with respect to yield (greater GD is correlated with greater yield) but a negative correlation with quality traits such as sugar and titrateable acids. These results demonstrate a potential role for grafted plants to improve production in both open field and high tunnel systems. There is also evidence from our studies that grafting can directly lead to problems. Grafting of some genotypes, affects the percent success of grafts. Low percent success and brittle grafts, often referred to as "incompatible", appear to have a genetic basis that is independent of major resistance genes. Although use of cyanaocrylate adhesives during the grafting process can improve the percentage of success, such adhesives are unlikely to be compatible with organic certification. Graft transmission of bacterial and viral pathogens is possible, and propagators must take precautions to limit the spread of pathogens. Grafting also adds cost and may not always produce an economic benefit. Growers may therefore need to consider specific circumstances, such as the presence of soil-borne disease, before adopting grafted vegetables. Outreach goals of the project were met through workshops, webinars, videos, and web-based outreach. Project goals, activities and outcomes were also summarized during grower association conferences in NC, IL, MN, MI and OH where surveys were conducted. Our outreach efforts focus on outlining the pros and cons of grafted plant production and use and on teaching producers how to graft. The importance of sanitation during the grafting process to minimize the opportunity for diseases to spread was emphasized. PARTICIPANTS: Supplemental outreach and research are funded through the North Carolina Specialty Crops Program, S-SARE Research & Extension Grant (Peet & Louws), S-SARE Graduate Student Research Grant, the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC), Research Enhancement Competitive Grants Program (Francis, Kleinhenz, Miller, and McSpadden Gardener) and competitive grower-funded Ohio Vegetable and Small Fruit Research and Development Program (Kleinhenz, Francis, Miller and McSpadden Gardener) . The North Carolina trial was conducted as an on-farm project with Hilltop Farms, a certified Organic Produce farm in Willow Springs, NC. TARGET AUDIENCES: Organic vegetable producers, vegetable growers, nurseries, and vegetable propagators. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: On September 16, 2010, a tornado destroyed greenhouse and laboratory facilities on the Ohio State University, OARDC. Destruction of facilities and parental RS material has delayed the release of germplasm and RS varieties developed during this research.
Impacts
Research based information on grafting methods and the performance of grafted plants was developed through this project. This information will help growers assess the value of grafting as both a production tool and potential source of revenue. Since the inception of this project several domestic propagators have initiated grafting, with both commercial growers and the home garden market targeted. To meet Extension goals, we have engaged in direct outreach through extension and trade publications, workshops, field days, presentations and consultations. Over 50 presentations and workshops were made, with more than half invited, which reached over 2,372 direct contacts. Videos content, webinars and web pages reached over 87,000 viewers. http://www.youtube.com/watchv=5Fd6tBQTTAg : 10,663 (verified 01/30/2012) http://www.youtube.com/watchv=tHnOYcI6B44 : 38,046 (verified 01/30/2012) http://www.youtube.com/watchv=gfZZeBEvlFU : 30,977 (verified 01/30/2012) http://www.youtube.com/watchv=AWWPtCqZ_IA : 8,051 (verified 01/30/2012)
Publications
- Rivard, C.L., S. O Connell, M.M. Peet and F.J. Louws. 2009. Grafting tomato with inter-specific rootstock to manage diseases caused by sclerotium rolfsii and root-knot nematodes. Proc. of the Int. Res. Conf. on Methyl Bromide Alternatives and Emissions Reduction. 40/1-41/3. (Editor reviewed)
- Francis, David, M. Kleinhenz, J. Schleappi, C. Cruz, N. Hurachi, S. Vogele. 2009. Grafting of tomato plants. http://www.youtube.com/watchv=tHnOYcI6B44 (Video)
- Francis, David, M. Kleinhenz, J. Schleappi, S. Vogele, C. Cruz, N. Hurachi 2009. Injerto de plantas de tomate (Spanish language). http://www.youtube.com/watchv=gfZZeBEvlFU (Video)
- Rivard, C.L., S. O Connell, M.M. Peet, and F.J. Louws 2009. Grafting tomato with inter-specific rootstock provides effective management for southern blight and root-knot nematodes. Phytopathology 99:S109 (Published abstract)
- Rivard, C.L., F. J. Louws , S. O Connell, C. Harlow, and M.M. Peet. 2009. The grafted tomato system: Are there advantages in the presence of soilborne diseases. Hortscience 44:1111 through 1112 (Published abstract)
- O Connell, S., M.M. Peet, C.L. Rivard, C. Harlow, and F. J. Louws. 2009. The grafted heirloom tomato system for organic production in high tunnels: Are there advantages in the absence of soilborne diseases. Hortscience 44:1056. (Published abstract)
- Peet, M.M., S. O Connell, C.L. Rivard, C. Harlow, and F. J. Louws. 2009. Physiological disorders in grafted heirloom tomatoes grown in high tunnels using organic production. Hortscience 44:979. (Published abstract)
- Rivard, C.L. and F.J. Louws, 2006. Grafting for disease resistance in heirloom tomatoes. Ag-675: Extension Factsheet. College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, North Carolina Cooperative Extension Services. (Extension Publication REPRINTED 2009).
- Kleinhenz, M.D., D.M. Francis, M. Young, T. Aldrich and S. Walker. Performance of conventionally and organically grown grafted 'Celebrity' tomato in Ohio in 2008. Midwest vegetable variety trial report for 2008, E.T. Maynard, Purdue Univ., ed. pp. 131-139. http://www.hort.purdue.edu/fruitveg/rep_pres/2008-9/mvt_2008_pdf/MVTR _2008_Print.pdf (Extension Publication)
- Kleinhenz, M.D., D.M. Francis, M. Young and T. Aldrich. Rootstock effects on yield of grafted 'Celebrity' tomato in Ohio in 2009. Midwest vegetable variety trial report for 2009, E.T. Maynard, Purdue Univ., ed. (Extension Publication)
- Young, M., S. Walker, N. Bumgarner, J. Weyer, and M. Kleinhenz. 2009. The Ohio State University-OARDC/OSUE grafting guide: a pictorial guide to the cleft graft method as applied to tomato. 46 pp. (Extension Publication)
- Kleinhenz, M. and N. O Mallon. 2009. What exactly is grafting, and why do it www.aboutharvest.com/433/what-exactly-is-grafting-and-why-do-it/ (Extension Publication)
- Kleinhenz, M. and M. Espinoza. 15 January, 2009. Vegetable growers: learn tomato grafting at Jan. 27 Workshop in Wooster. OARDC/CFAES 1pp. (Press release).
- Kleinhenz, M. and M. Anderson. 2009. Grafting: an innovative management tool for maintaining tomato production in continuously cropped high tunnels and greenhouses. Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association Newsletter, Winter-Spring 2009. 2 pp. (Popular article)
- Milkovich, M. and M. Kleinhenz. 2009. Vegetable grafting survey. Vegetable Growers News, e-VGN 11: November 2009. (Popular article)
- Clement, B. 2009. Grafting tomatoes on disease resistant rootstocks for small-scale organic production. Tomato Magazine 13 (6): 10 through 11. (Popular article)
- Louws, F.J., C.L. Rivard, and C. Kubota. 2010. Grafting herbaceous vegetable plants to manage biotic pests. Scientia Horticulturae. 127: 127 through 146
- Rivard, C.L., S. O Connell, M.M. Peet, and F.J. Louws. 2010. Grafting tomato with inter--‐ specific rootstock to manage diseases caused by Sclerotium rolfsii and southern root knot nematode. Plant Disease. 94: (1015 through 1024)
- Rivard, C.L. and F.J. Louws. 2008. Grafting to manage soilborne diseases in heirloom tomato production. Hortscience 43:2104 through 2111.
- Rivard, C.L. R.M. Welker, S. O Connell, M.M. Peet, and F.J. Louws. 2010. Grafting for disease management in open field and high tunnel production systems. Proceedings from the 25th Annual Tomato Disease Workshop. Balm, FL USA.
- Francis, David, M. Kleinhenz, J. Schleappi, S. Vogele, C. Cruz, H. Wang. 2010. Injerto de plantas de tomate (Chinese language). http://www.youtube.com/watchv=AWWPtCqZ_IA (Video)
- Rivard, C.L., Sydorovych, O., O Connell, S., Peet, M.M., Louws, FL. 2010. An Economic Analysis of Two Grafted Tomato Transplant Production Systems in the United States. Hort. Technology 20:794 through 803
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Progress 08/01/09 to 07/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Grafted vegetables are integral to diverse production systems ranging from the highly technical hydroponic greenhouse environment to subsistence agriculture. This diversity of use suggests a role for grafting in high value cropping systems such as organic production. Our specific objectives, using tomato production as a model, are to 1) test the feasibility of using rootstocks (RS) in soil-based organic production systems; 2) quantify the effects of grafting and RS on yield and quality; 3) test the hypothesis that genetic distance between parents would predict RS performance; and 4) provide growers with research based information relative to grafting. For a third year we tested commercial and experimental RS in OH, NC and MN under organic management in open-field and high tunnel conditions. Grafts to the scion, Celebrity, were evaluated for yield and quality. Only a few RS proved to be statistically better than the un-grafted or self-grafted controls; several performed worse. No significant RS effects were detected (positive or negative) for fruit quality characteristics including sugar and vitamin C content. Despite differences between locations, several RS emerged as high performers across locations and years. Results from three years of trials suggest that grafting to RS will often, but not always, improve production. Several experimental RS and controls were also tested in on-farm trials. At some locations, plants grown on RS showed delayed maturity and resulting yields were numerically lower than ungrafted or self-grafted controls. Grafting of some genotypes, e.g. Hawaii 7998 (used as a source of resistance to bacterial wilt) and derived hybrids, affects the percent success of grafts. Low percent success and brittle grafts, often referred to as incompatible, appear to have a genetic basis that is independent of major resistance genes. Use of cyanaocrylate adhesives during the grafting process can improve the percentage of success. Such adhesives are unlikely to be compatible with organic certification. Use of RS in organic high-tunnel production under two irrigation regimes was tested using an heirloom variety, Cherokee Purple. Grafted plants showed an increased yield (relative to un-grafted controls) of 28% under standard irrigation and 41% under deficit irrigation. These results demonstrate a role for grafted plants to improve production in both open field and high tunnel systems. To meet outreach goals, a project web-page (http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/graftingtomato/) was improved and maintained. Project goals, activities and outcomes were also summarized during grower association conferences in NC, IL, MN, MI and OH; webinars with national reac; field days, tours and numerous informal stakeholder consultations. Our outreach efforts focus on outlining the pros and cons of grafted plant production and use and on teaching producers how to graft. The importance of sanitation during the grafting process to minimize the opportunity for diseases to spread is emphasized frequently. PARTICIPANTS: Francis, D. M..; Kleinhenz, M.; Miller, S. A.; McSpadden Gardner, B.; Markhart, A.; Louws, F. J.; Peet, M.; Estes, E.; Liedl, B.; Sanchez, E. Supplemental outreach and research are funded through the North Carolina Specialty Crops Program, S-SARE Research & Extension Grant (Peet & Louws), S-SARE Graduate Student Research Grant, the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC) Research Enhancement Competitive Grants Program (Francis, Kleinhenz, Miller, and McSpadden Gardener) and competitive grower-funded Ohio Vegetable and Small Fruit Research and Development Program (Kleinhenz, Francis, Miller and McSpadden Gardener) . The North Carolina trial was conducted as an on-farm project with Hilltop Farms, a certified Organic Produce farm in Willow Springs, NC. TARGET AUDIENCES: Vegetable growers, Nurseries, and Organic vegetable producers. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: On September 16, 2010, a tornado destroyed greenhouse and laboratory facilities on the Ohio State University, OARDC, campus. Destruction of facilities delayed data collection relative to fruit quality and subsequent data analysis. In addition, RS parent material was destroyed.
Impacts
Research based information on grafting methods and the performance of grafted plants was developed through this project. This information will help growers assess the value of grafting as both a production tool and potential source of revenue. To meet extension goals, we have engaged in direct outreach through extension and trade publications, workshops, field days, presentations and consultations. A project web-page (http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/graftingtomato/), webinars, and videos have amplified our outreach. Our world-wide web presence is tracked through WebLog Expert and receives an average of eight visitors per day. Videos demonstrating the grafting process associated with this project were viewed over 38,000 times: http://www.youtube.com/watchv=5Fd6tBQTTAg : 1,769 (verified 01/22/2011) http://www.youtube.com/watchv=tHnOYcI6B44 : 19,000 (verified 01/22/2011) http://www.youtube.com/watchv=gfZZeBEvlFU : 15,791 (verified 01/22/2011) http://www.youtube.com/watchv=AWWPtCqZ_IA : 2,207 (verified 01/22/2011) Personnel affiliated with the project shared information relative to grafting techniques, grafting sanitation, and the performance of grafted tomatoes at over 30 events including in-person and webinar presentations, workshops, and field days. We directly reached over 540 industry (e.g., growers) and research-extension personnel through these events. Workshops are evaluated using pre-assessment and post-assessment tools, and these document a 74% increase in knowledge of vegetable grafting and a 46% increase in the confidence of participants in their ability to graft.
Publications
- Rivard, C.L., Sydorovych, O., OConnell, S., Peet, M.M., Louws, F.L. 2010. An Economic Analysis of Two Grafted Tomato Transplant Production Systems in the United States. Hort. Technology 20:794-803
- Francis, D., Schealeppi, J., Pisarski , V.and Huarachi, N. 2010. Grafting with Glue, June 24, 2010. Youtube: http://www.youtube.co/watchv=5Fd6tBQTTAg
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Progress 08/01/08 to 07/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Grafted vegetables have been used in production systems ranging from hydroponic greenhouses to subsistence agriculture. This diversity of use suggests a role for grafting in high value cropping systems such as organic tomato production. Our specific objectives were to 1) test the feasibility of using rootstocks (RS) in soil-based organic production systems; 2) quantify the effects of grafting and RS on yield and quality; 3) test the hypothesis that genetic distance between parents would predict RS performance; and 4) provide growers with research based information relative to grafting. For the second year we tested 25 commercial and experimental RS in OH, NC and MN under organic management in open-field conditions. Significant differences were observed between RS for seed germination and percent success of grafts. Use of cyanaocrylate adhesives during the grafting process improved the percentage of success. Such adhesives are unlikely to be compatible with organic certification. Tests for the fixed effect of RS were significant for total yield and marketable yield and in the analysis performed across two years. Only a few experimental RS proved to be statistically better than the un-grafted or self-grafted controls; several performed worse. Year-to-year correlations within a location were significant and positive (r^2=0.14); location-to-location correlations within a year were also significant and positive (r^2=0.21). No significant RS effects were detected (positive or negative) for fruit quality characteristics including sugar and vitamin C content. Despite differences between locations, several RS emerged as high performers across locations and years. Sufficient rainfall occurred to generate foliar disease pressure. The primary foliar disease in NC was Early Blight with Septoria leaf spot also present. Late blight occurred at the OH location toward the end of the season. Rootstock significantly impacted disease incidence values. Southern Stem Blight (SSB) occurred but disease pressure was relatively low and no significant differences were noted among treatments this year. However, all three non-grafted treatments and 2 of three self-grafted treatments had a high incidence of SSB. As noted in 2008, many of the RS selections had no SSB. These results suggest that RS can reduce scion disease. Use of RS in organic high-tunnel production under two irrigation regimes was tested using "Cherokee Purple". Grafted plants showed an increased yield (relative to un-grafted controls) of 28% under standard irrigation and 41% under deficit irrigation. These results demonstrate a role for grafted plants to improve production in both open field and high tunnel systems. To meet outreach goals, a project web-page (http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/graftingtomato/) was improved and maintained. PI's Francis and Miller are also participating in eOrganic. Our outreach efforts focus on teaching producers how to graft and stress the importance of sanitation during the grafting process to minimize the opportunity for diseases to spread. PARTICIPANTS: Investigator: Francis, D. M..; Kleinhenz, M.; Miller, S. A.; McSpaden-Gardner, B.; Markhart, A.; Louws, F. J.; Peet, M.; Estes, E.; Liedl, B.; Sanchez, E. Supplemental outreach and research are funded through the North Carolina Specialty Crops Program, S-SARE Research & Extension Grant (Peet & Louws), S-SARE Graduate Student Research Grant, and the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC) Research Enhancement Competitive Grants Program (Francis, Kleinhenz, Miller, and McSpadden-Gardener). The North Carolina trial was conducted as an on-farm project with Hilltop Farms, a certified Organic Produce farm in Willow Springs, NC. TARGET AUDIENCES: Vegetable growers, Nurseries, and Organic producers. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Research based information on grafting methods and the performance of grafted was developed through this project, and this information will help growers assess the value of grafting. To meet outreach goals, a project web-page (http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/graftingtomato/) has been established. Our world-wide web presence is tracked through WebLog Expert. For the period January 1, 2008 through August 2009 we hosted 3,211 visitors from 2,060 unique IP addresses, with an average of eight visitors per day. Our English language video "Grafting of tomato plants" has been viewed over 2,400 times with an average monthly viewing of 400; the Spanish language video has been viewed over 2,000 times with an average monthly viewing of over 330. Direct contact with our target audience has been through grower/industry association meetings, conferences and conventions, field days and tours, and workshops. Personnel affiliated with the project shared information relative to grafting techniques, grafting sanitation, and the performance of grafted tomatoes at over 30 events including presentations, workshops, and field days. We reached over 540 growers, Extension agents, and University personnel through these events. Workshops are evaluated using pre-assessment and post-assessment tools, and these document a 74% increase in knowledge of vegetable grafting and a 46% increase in the confidence of participants in their ability to graft.
Publications
- Kleinhenz, M.D., D.M. Francis, M. Young, T. Aldrich and S. Walker. Performance of conventionally and organicallygrown grafted 'Celebrity' tomato in Ohio in 2008. Midwest vegetable variety trial report for 2008, E.T. Maynard, Purdue Univ., ed. pp. 131-139. http://www.hort.purdue.edu/fruitveg/rep_pres/2008-9/mvt_2008_pdf/MVTR _2008_Print.pdf (Extension Publication)
- Kleinhenz, M.D., D.M. Francis, M. Young and T. Aldrich. Rootstock effects on yield of grafted 'Celebrity' tomato in Ohio in 2009. Midwest vegetable variety trial report for 2009, E.T. Maynard, Purdue Univ., ed. (Extension Publication)
- Young, M., S. Walker, N. Bumgarner, J. Weyer, and M. Kleinhenz. 2009. The Ohio State University-OARDC/OSUE grafting guide: a pictorial guide to the cleft graft method as applied to tomato. 46 pp. (Extension Publication)
- Kleinhenz, M. and N. O Mallon. 2009. What exactly is grafting, and why do it www.aboutharvest.com/433/what-exactly-is-grafting-and-why-do-it/ (Extension Publication)
- Kleinhenz, M. and M. Espinoza. 15 January, 2009. Vegetable growers: learn tomato grafting at Jan. 27 Workshop in Wooster. OARDC/CFAES 1pp. (Press release).
- Kleinhenz, M. and M. Anderson. 2009. Grafting: an innovative management tool for maintaining tomato production in continuously cropped high tunnels and greenhouses. Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association Newsletter, Winter-Spring 2009. 2 pp. (Popular article)
- Milkovich, M. and M. Kleinhenz. 2009. Vegetable grafting survey. Vegetable Growers News, e-VGN 11: November 2009. (Popular article)
- Clement, B. 2009. Grafting tomatoes on disease resistant rootstocks for small-scale organic production. Tomato Magazine 13 (6): 10-11. (Popular article)
- Rivard, C.L., S. O Connell, M.M. Peet and F.J. Louws. 2009. Grafting tomato with inter-specific rootstock to manage diseases caused by sclerotium rolfsii and root-knot nematodes. Proc. of the Int. Res. Conf. on Methyl Bromide Alternatives and Emissions Reduction. 40/1-41/3(Editor reviewed).
- Francis, David, M. Kleinhenz, J. Schleappi, C. Cruz, N. Hurachi, S. Vogele. 2009. Grafting of tomato plants. http://www.youtube.com/watchv=tHnOYcI6B44 (Video)
- Francis, David, M. Kleinhenz, J. Schleappi, S. Vogele, C. Cruz, N. Hurachi. 2009. Injerto de plantas de tomate (Spanish language). http://www.youtube.com/watchv=gfZZeBEvlFU (Video)
- Rivard, C.L., S. O Connell, M.M. Peet, and F.J. Louws. 2009. Grafting tomato with inter-specific rootstock provides effective management for southern blight and root-knot nematodes. Phytopathology 99:S109 (Published abstract)
- Rivard, C.L., F. J. Louws , S. O Connell, C. Harlow, and M.M. Peet. 2009. The grafted tomato system: Are there advantages in the presence of soilborne diseases. Hortscience 44:1111-1112 (Published abstract)
- O Connell, S., M.M. Peet, C.L. Rivard, C. Harlow, and F. J. Louws. 2009. The grafted heirloom tomato system for organic production in high tunnels: Are there advantages in the absence of soilborne diseases. Hortscience 44:1056. (Published abstract)
- Peet, M.M., S. O Connell, C.L. Rivard, C. Harlow, and F. J. Louws. 2009. Physiological disorders in grafted heirloom tomatoes grown in high tunnels using organic production. Hortscience 44:979. (Published abstract)
- Rivard, C.L. and F.J. Louws, 2006. Grafting for disease resistance in heirloom tomatoes. Ag-675: Extension Factsheet. College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, North Carolina Cooperative Extension Services. (Extension Publication REPRINTED 2009).
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Progress 08/01/07 to 07/31/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Grafted tomatoes have been used in production systems ranging from high input hydroponic greenhouses to subsistence agriculture. We tested 35 commercial and experimental RS in Ohio, North Carolina and Minnesota. The specific objectives this year were to 1) test the feasibility of using RS in soil-based organic production systems; 2) quantify the effects of grafting and RS on yield and quality; 3) test the hypothesis that genetic distance between parents would predict RS vigor and performance; and 4) provide growers with research based information relative to grafting. Significant differences were observed between RS for seed germination and percent success of grafts. In the field, location and replicate within location were highly significant for both total yield and marketable yield. The RS by location interaction was also significant for both total and marketable yield. Tests for the fixed effect of RS were significant P = 0.0307 for total yield but marginally non-significant for marketable yield (P = 0.0833). Significant rootstock by location interactions for total and marketable yields suggested rank shifts in the performance of varieties. Variance components were partitioned in order to estimate the importance of RS genotype relative to environment as a contributing factor to total yield and marketable yield. Heritability, was estimated from variance components on a RS-mean basis and was moderate. Despite significant genetic effects for total yield, only a few RS proved better than the un-grafted or self-grafted control and several performed worse. In NC where Southern Blight was present, there were clear advantageous to using RS and several experimental RS appear tolerant to the disease. The significant RS by location interaction makes it difficult to select a RS that performed the "best" across environements. Despite differences between locations, several RS emerged as high performers across locations. We sought to test the hypothesis that genetic distance between parents would predict performance of the hybrid RS relative to seed, seedling growth, rootstock growth, scion growth and scion yield. Genetic distance (GD) between parents of the experimental RS was estimated based on DNA-based genetic markers. Negative correlations were detected between GD and both seed size and germination. RS developed from crosses with high GD had slow initial growth, but surpassed mid-parent values, and had vigorous later growth. Improved RS growth translated into improved scion growth, and suggested positive heterotic effects. These effects did not translate into significantly improved yields. The results suggested several points where selection might be implemented in a RS breeding program. To meet outreach goals, a project web-page (http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/graftingtomato/) was developed. In addition we are exploring Web 2.0 (interactive web) approaches to facilitate to facilitate project communication and development of extension materials. To this end, a wiki was set up using "WETPAINT" as a private (pass-word protected)/educational (no advertisements). PI's Francis and Miller are also participating in eOrganic. PARTICIPANTS: Supplemental outreach and research are funded through the North Carolina Specialty Crops Program, S-SARE Research & Extension Grant (Peet & Louws), S-SARE Graduate Student Research Grant, and the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC) Research Enhancement Competitive Grants Program (Francis, Kleinhenz, Miller, and McSpadden-Gardener). The North Carolina trial was conducted as an on-farm project with Hilltop Farms, a certified Organic Produce farm in Willow Springs, NC. TARGET AUDIENCES: Vegetable growers, Nurseries, and Organic producers. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
We shared information relative to grafting techniques, grafting sanitation, and the performance of grafted tomatoes with over 900 growers, Extension agents, and University personnel through 29 Extension presentations and demonstrations. Research based information on grafting methods and the performance of grafted plants is being developed through this project, and will help growers assess the economic value of grafting. To meet outreach goals, a project web-page (http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/graftingtomato/) has been established.
Publications
- Milkovich, M. 2008. Multistate tomato grafting project has potential for growers. The Vegetable Growers News 42(9), September 2008, p. 1, 16. Also posted at The Vegetable Growers News website (http://www.vegetablegrowersnews.com/pages/arts.php?ns=980).
- Kleinhenz, M.D. 2008. Tomato grafting: its status and potential. Ohio Country Journal August 2008, p. 19.Also posted at Ohio Country Journal website (http://www.ocj.com/PDF/R.11.CropsAug2008.pdf).
- Peet, Mary Suzanne O Connell, Frank Louws, Cary Rivard, and Chris Harlow. 2008. Grafting Rootstocks onto Heirloom and Locally Adapted Tomato Selections to Confer Resistance to Soil Borne Diseases and Increase Nutrient Uptake for Market Gardeners New American Farm Conference. (Mary Peet) Advancing the Frontier of Sustainable Agriculture. March 25-27, 2008, Kansas City, Missouri.: http://www.sare.org/2008Conference/posters.htm
- Rivard CL, Louws FJ, Peet MM, and O Connell, S. 2008. High Tunnels And Grafting For Disease Management In Organic Tomato Production. 2008. Phytopathology 98:S133-S133
- O Connell, P. M. and Rivard, C. 2008. Grafting Heirloom Tomatoes for Disease Resistance in Intensive Farming Systems. SARE luncheon at National Association of County Agricultural Agents July 15, Koury Center, Greensboro, NC. Pre-registration 75. http://www.ncacaa.org/2008ampic/index.html.
- Rivard, Cary L. and Frank J. Louws. 2008. Grafting to Manage Soilborne Diseases in Heirloom Tomato Production. HortScience 43:2104-2111 (Peer reviewed)
- Kleinhenz, M.D., D.M. Francis, M. Young, T. Aldrich, and S. Walker. 2008. Performance of conventionallyand organically-grown grafted 'Celebrity' tomato in Ohio in 2008. In: Midwest Vegetable Variety Trial Report for 2008, Bulletin No. B18048, Dept. of Horticulture, Office of Agr Res Progs, Purdue Univ., West Lafayette, IN.
- Kleinhenz, M. 2008. Optimize production: using high tunnels and grafted plants may give some growers a competitive edge. American Vegetable Grower. December 2008. p. 12, 14.
- Noble, D. 2008. Multistate tomato grafting project has potential for growers. The Tomato Magazine 12(6), December 2008, p. 4-5.
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