Review of Grafting as a Potential Method for Reducing Biotic and Abiotic Stresses in Cucurbits

Author: Sheetanshu Gupta, Deepak Maurya and Shakuli Kashyap

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Abstract

India is the world's second-largest producer of veggies after China, yet the amount consumed is still much lower than the amount advised. Vegetable grafting is one of the effective methods that can be used to address the rising demand for vegetables. It is a useful approach to utilize in conjunction with more environmentally friendly crop production methods, such as in many nations, lower rates, and general usage of soil fumigants. It serves as a good option because there is little room to expand the area under cultivation because there are fewer arable lands available due to population growth. Due to the huge demand at the moment, it has also spread to other solanaceous crops including cucumber and watermelon. Apart from boosting resistance to abiotic stressors and increasing water usage efficiency, grafting in vegetables has primarily been documented for tolerance to soil-borne illnesses. However, if grafting is used more frequently in the future, the microbial habitat of the soil will probably change, which could encourage the emergence of new infections. Despite the fact that grafting has been shown to control a variety of common diseases, the ultimate effectiveness will probably depend on how effectively we keep an eye out for changes in pathogens as well as any other unintended outcomes. There are some big challenges in grafting like compatibility issues, disease transmission, labor intensive, limited genetic diversity, and cost. Grafting has several contributions to the reduction of biotic and abiotic stresses in cucurbits. Disease resistance, tolerance to abiotic stress, improved yield and quality, reduced chemical inputs, and an extended growing season are some of the benefits of grafting in cucurbits. However, it is important to consider the challenges associated with grafting before using this method.

Keywords

Grafting, biotic and abiotic stress management, cucurbits

Conclusion

Vegetable grafting has been effectively used for many years in Asian nations, and it is gaining popularity globally. The development and distribution of rootstock seeds through commercial seed catalogs is a top priority for many international seed firms. A fundamental necessity for sustained success is the identification of appropriate multi-disease-resistant rootstocks with tolerance to abiotic stressors. The introduction of top-notch rootstocks with a variety of disease resistances and effective grafting tools, such as grafting robots, will considerably promote the continued use of grafted vegetables around the globe. Vegetable grafting and growing seedlings with grafts present a number of common issues. The price premium for rootstock seeds, the labor-intensive nature of grafting and growing grafted seedlings, inexperience with grafting and management of grafted plants, and the likelihood of grafting-related physiological diseases are a few of these drawbacks. However, adopting grafted seedlings has a lot of advantages. These include an increase in income from high yield and off-season growing, a reduction in fertilizer and irrigation water input due to the rootstocks' wide root systems, a significant reduction in agrochemical use due to the rootstocks' high resistance to disease and other physiological disorders, an extension of the harvest season, effective maintenance of well-known cultivars against diseases and other physiological disorders, a lack of requirement for lengthy crop rotations, the resolution of issues caused by saline soils and thermal stress.

References

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How to cite this article

Sheetanshu Gupta, Deepak Maurya and Shakuli Kashyap (2023). Review of Grafting as a Potential Method for Reducing Biotic and Abiotic Stresses in Cucurbits. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(4): 225-233.