How to graft tomatoes for disease resistance

An image of the weed that is grafted with a tomato tree. PHOTO | MOSES OMUSOLO

What you need to know:

  • Dr Nicodemus Musembi from the Department of Plant Science and Crop Protection, University of Nairobi also revealed that the grafted seedling of tree tomato has improved capability to resist disease
  • Solanum mauritianum, variously known as wild tobacco or bugweed, is an indigenous invasive weed which can be robbed of all its powers to harm crops.

A new technique to boost tree tomato farming has been unveiled in the country.

The grafting tree tomato for disease and drought resistance method is currently a hot topic at the Nairobi Innovation Week.

Solanum mauritianum, variously known as wild tobacco or bugweed, is an indigenous invasive weed which can be robbed of all its powers to harm crops.

Once grafted with Solanum betaceum or simply tree-tomato, the result is a crop with a promise.

The grafted crop now guarantees up to 10 tonnes of produce from just an acre.

Besides, the seedling has been engineered to thrive in semi-arid areas.

RESIST DISEASE

Dr Nicodemus Musembi from the Department of Plant Science and Crop Protection, University of Nairobi also revealed that the grafted seedling of tree tomato has improved capability to resist disease.

“They fruits are very nutritious,” added Dr Musembi.

As a result, the lecturer indicated that about 500 farmers have benefited from the innovation particularly in Thangari, Maragua, and Thika.

Concerning perishability, the new tree-tomato fruit can last up to 2 months in a refrigerator at 10 degrees.

The grafted seedlings are expected to sell much more affordably than the existing ones that are going at Sh 30 a piece.

Dr Musembi asserted that the real difference between better and poor yields is nothing but the bugweed.