Suppression of bacterial wilt in susceptible scion of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and brinjal (Solanum melongena) using Solanum torvum as resistant rootstock

The autografts of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.), brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) chilli (Capsicum sp.), and citrus (Citrus spp.), showed 86, 87, 84, and 88% graft efficiency respectively. Moreover, homograft of tomato, brinjal and citrus showed 83, 81 and 84% graft efficiency respectively. In vitro microgafting protocol performed within 8 days after seed germination and had up to 97% success rate without use of any phytohormones. Moreover, tomato and brinlal grafted on S. torvum rootstock showed the resistance to bacterial wilt. However, non -grafted tomato and brinjal showed bacterial wilt symptoms. The developed microgarted protocol helps in the production of bacterial wilt resistant tomato and brinjal by the use of S. torvum as a rootstock.