Vol. 12, Issue 11 (2023)

Author(s):
Kartik Pramanik, Jyostnarani Padhan, Dwity Sundar Rout, Aman Jaiswal, Hemlata Singh and Geeta Kumari

Abstract:
What the plant breeders are up to now? Farmers of Odisha face uphill task in controlling the devastating wilt complex incidence caused by bacterium (Ralstonia solanacearum), fungus (Verticillium dahliae and Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. melongenae) and root knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) in solanaceous vegetable crops. Tomato is most susceptible to the disease amomg all solanaceoous vegetable crops. Furthermore, climate change has created serious issue of extreme high temperature, drought, uncertain lash out rainfall accompanied with havocking of minor pest such as leaf miner, white fly which have become major hurdle for expanding area and production in tomato cultivation. In this context, it is pertinent to say; developing a superior cultivar/ hybrid/ variety may not be possible to cater all such constraints. In pursuance, the local types of tomato, brinjal and chilli have high degree of tolerance/ resistance to most of the biotic and abiotic stresses though the fruits are not up to the mark in fruit yield and quality. These give an opportunity to employ and develop grafted plants instead of breed a variety to manage the multi-complication in cultivation as suggested by many workers. Our investigation demonstrated compatibility of tomato scion with brinjal rootstocks but did not witness promising results with chilli rootstocks. The results recommended the use of brinjal as rootstocks having resistant to abiotic and biotic stresses would be beneficial for the farming community.