Improvement of abiotic stress tolerance through the use of vegetable grafting

In view of exploring the unveiled potential of vegetable grafting technology, the research activities in this area at the Department DAFNE, Tuscia University, Viterbo started in 1997 with special emphasis on improvement of abiotic stress tolerance in cucurbits (melon, watermelon, and cucumber). Many of the research activities have been done in collaboration with other Italian and International research groups. At the beginning, the abiotic stresses taken into consideration in vegetable grafting researches were salinity, drought and alkalinity. The major activities have been going on here covers the screening and selection of tolerant rootstocks and revealing the mechanisms involved in grafted plants tolerance, including agronomical, and physiological aspects against these stresses. Recently, a research project has been conducted with the aim to improve nitrogen use efficiency in watermelon and melon through the selection of suitable Cucurbita rootstocks. In several experimental trials, interactions of scion and rootstock have been also considered in terms of fruit quality with particular emphasis on nutraceutical value of the product (eg. antioxidant compounds). The researches on integrated approach by involving suitable AM fungi for increasing performance of grafted plants against abiotic stresses have also been considered. Our present research aims at alleviating metals toxicity, including heavy metals in cucurbitaceous and solanaceous crops. Our aim is to alleviate plant tolerance to Al toxicity in cucumber while Cd and Ni toxicity in tomato, besides to reduce the heavy metals (Cd and Ni) concentrations in the edible fruits of tomato. We are also trying to find suitable and compatible AM fungi and bacterial strains for further improvement of plant tolerance against such stresses.