Brinjal Grafting on Wild Rootstocks to Enhance Growth, Yield, Fruit Quality and Nutrient Uptake

Abstract

The present study was undertaken at Dr. YSR Horticultural University, College of Horticulture, Anantharajupeta, Annamayya district of Andhra Pradesh, to investigate the effect of grafting brinjal cultivar Manjushree onto three wild Solanum rootstocks (Solanum torvum, S. gilo, and S. indicum). The research aimed to evaluate their influence on plant growth, yield performance, fruit quality parameters, and nutrient uptake efficiency. Data was recorded and statistically analysis revealed significant differences among the treatments. Plants grafted onto wild Solanum rootstocks exhibited superior growth attributes such as increased plant height and higher crop growth rate, along with enhanced yield characteristics including greater average fruit weight. In addition, notable improvements were observed in soil nutrient dynamics and plant nutrient uptake, particularly with respect to available phosphorus and potassium absorption. The enhanced nutrient utilization efficiency of grafted plants contributed to better growth and productivity outcomes. Fruit quality parameters also showed positive responses to grafting, further confirming its role in improving the marketable quality of produce. These findings are in agreement with earlier reports highlighting the beneficial effects of grafting in vegetable crops for improving vigour, yield, and stress tolerance. Overall, the study establishes grafting of brinjal onto wild Solanum rootstocks as a promising horticultural practice, capable of enhancing crop productivity, improving fruit quality, and imparting resilience against biotic and abiotic stresses, thereby contributing to sustainable vegetable production systems.