Vegetable Grafting: A Multiple Crop Improvement Methodology

Grafting is a simple method of propagation in which desired rootstocks are obtained to induce vigor, precocity, enhanced yield and quality, better survival under biotic and abiotic stress conditions. Grafting reduced the dependency upon chemicals required to treat the soil borne diseases and has opened new vista in organic farming of vegetables. Grafting is the popular technology among vegetable growers and researchers to develop resistance in the crops or improve tolerance to biotic and environmental stresses in the various crops mentioning solanaceous and cucurbitaceous crops. The technology of grafting is potential in promoting the cultivation of vegetables in customized and fragile agricultural-ecosystem. It is a alternative tool which is rapid in case of relatively slow breeding methodology and useful in sustainable horticulture which takes low input for future agriculture system. Further, inventions in mechanized and robotic grafting have given a fillip to this novel eco-friendly approach. Mechanization will considerably reduce the cost of grafted seedling production in the future.