PANAJI
The results of experiments to graft tomato on eggplant (brinjal) currently being attempted by the North Goa Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) with support from the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) centre at Ella, Old Goa will be key to the State's plans to scale up production on an economic scale.
The tomato on brinjal plant grafting experiments are being conducted at the ICAR centre at Old Goa.
Climatic conditions in Goa are not conducive for commercial growing of tomato, an almost essential ingredient in kitchens and prices of which had recently skyrocketed across the country. Goa largely depends on importing tomato from Belagavi.
If ATMA's experiment succeeds, large scale cultivation of tomato will be possible in the State thus reducing dependence on Belagavi as well as ensuring price stability, officials involved with the experiment said.
The tomato plant does grow in Goan conditions but it is often hit by a specific type of bacterial plant disease affecting production and commercial viability, according to ICAR scientist ICAR Scientist Dr Ganesh Chaudhary. The bacteria prevalent in Goan soil when it infects the plant causes about 50 to 80 per cent drop in crop output.
The eggplant, however, is resistant to this bacteria, Chaudhary said, adding that grafting tomato could be successful here in Goa as has been the case with similar experiments elsewhere in the country.
The current experiments are being tested on local varieties of eggplant and ATMA project director, Kishore Bhave said by acquiring the technique and support of the ICAR, they hope to overcome the Goa-specific impediments to mass scale cultivation of tomato.
"We have acquired this technology from ICAR this year. We will try to get these tomatoes grafted on eggplant by the end of the current monsoon and then replicate it across nurseries in the State," Bhave said, adding that the project has potential to succeed.
