Mitigate the Impact of Various Abiotic Stress by Using Grafting in Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) and Other Vegetables: A Comprehensive Review
Muhammad Faisal
Department of Botany, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
Muhammad Kamran
Department of Botany, University of Education Lahore, Faisalabad Campus, Pakistan.
Abiha Arshad
Department of Botany, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
Muhammad Junaid Maqsood
Department of Botany, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
Komal Rehman
Department of Botany, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
Sama Usman
Department of Botany, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
Pakeeza Farooq
Department of Botany, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Grafting technology has developed as a promising alternative to slow traditional breeding methods for boosting abiotic stressor resistance, soil pathogen tolerance, and fruit vegetable output and quality. Tomato, cucumbers, watermelons, eggplants, muskmelon and sweet papers have been grafted commercially to increase plant tolerance to factors such as salt, drought, waterlogging, the heavy metal toxicity, extreme temperatures, and variations in vegetable crop yield and quality. The goal of this study was to evaluate the research on the effect of grafting in reducing abiotic stressors and increasing vegetable crop production and quality. At different phases of culture, abiotic and biotic stressors harm tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), a significant vegetable crop globally. Drought, salt, floods, severe temperatures, and heavy metals may alter plant morphology, physiology, and biochemistry, affecting crop development, production, and quality. Grafting technology is an excellent alternative to delayed breeding operations to reduce biotic and abiotic stressors. Grafted tomatoes have higher osmolytes, antioxidant enzymes, photosynthesis, which improves plant growth and fruit harvests and makes them more tolerant to abiotic challenges. Additionally, tomato grafting on proper rootstocks enhances fruit nutritional value, including lycopene, β-carotene, ascorbic acid, and proteins. This information may help researchers and producers improve vegetable quality, especially under abiotic stress.
Keywords: Abiotic stressor resistance, grafting technology, crop yield, plant morphology