Genetics, breeding and selection of rootstocks for Solanaceae and Cucurbitaceae

• Published in: Scientia horticulturae 2010-12, Vol.127 (2), p.106-111
• Main Authors: King, Stephen R., Davis, Angela R., Zhang, Xingping, Crosby, Kevin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: abiotic stress; artificial selection; crop quality; crop yield; Cucurbitaceae; genetic variation; grafting (plants); Industry prospective; innovation adoption; Literature review; literature reviews; nutrient uptake; plant breeding; plant growth; plant pathogens; production costs; Rootstock species; rootstocks; salinity; seedling production; soil temperature; soil-borne diseases; Solanaceae; stress tolerance; vegetable crops; Vegetable grafting; vigor
• ISSN: 0304-4238; 1879-1018
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scienta.2010.08.001

▶ Rootstock evaluations require examination of GxGxE interactions with multiple scions. ▶ Most commercial Solanaceous rootstock breeding efforts are focused on high-value greenhouse tomatoes. ▶ Most commercial cucurbit rootstock breeding is being done in China, Japan, or Korea. In many parts of the world, grafting is a routine technique used in continuous cropping systems. It was first commonly used in Asia during the late 1920s by grafting watermelon ( Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. and Nakai) onto pumpkin [ Cucurbita moschata Duchesne ex. Poir] rootstocks. Use of rootstocks can enhance whole plant biotic stress responses by improving plant vigor through vigorous attainment of soil nutrients, avoidance of soil pathogens and tolerance of low soil temperatures, salinity, and wet-soil conditions. The type of rootstock affects scion growth, yield, and fruit quality. Grafting is rare in the United States, due in part to cost and availability of facilities, but with continued loss of quality disease-free farmland along with the phase-out of methyl bromide, vegetable grafting is an attractive option. However, grafting cost, limited grafting facilities, methyl bromide exclusions, shipping costs, and legal issues associated with contracting for grafted plant delivery have caused slow acceptance of this option. This review discusses recent literature on vegetable grafting with a focus on the genetics and breeding of the rootstock, and delves into current issues affecting the grafting industry. Issues affecting acceptance of grafting in the United States and Canada are highlighted.