The study investigated the effects of irrigation regimes (well-watered, wet-dry, and dry down conditions) and grafting (whereby high and low vigour rootstock genotypes (Maxifort, Unifort and Beaufort) were grafted unto a commercial cultivar (Money Maker), on the growth, gas exchange (stomatal conductance and photosynthesis) and water use efficiency of tomato. The results showed that irrigation level, especially dry down treatment, increased root and shoot biomass,leaf total soluble sugar contents, stomatal conductance, photosynthetic CO2 assimilation of tomato compared to the well-watered treatment. Tomato root and shoot biomass, stomatal conductance, photosynthetic CO2 assimilation, and the instantaneous (A/E) and intrinsic (A/gs) water use efficiency (WUE) were greater in grafted tomato plants and differed according to rootstock genotypes and soil moisture status. Under well-watered condition, instantaneous water use efficiency was highest for nongrafted scions and lowest for Unifort while for wet-dry situation, the instantaneous water use efficiency was highest for Maxifort and lowest for Unifort. Grafting modified the growth and physiological attributes of tomato and appeared to increase tolerance to rootzone water stress. Key growth and physiological attributes of tomato measured would be useful for selection of rootstock-scion genotypes for improving performance especially under variable watering levels. irrigation regimes and grafting strategies can be adopted for improving moisture deficit tolerance and water use efficiency (water saving attributes) of tomato.
agele, S. (2026). Growth and Gas Exchange in Grafted Tomato: Impact of Rootstock Type and Irrigation Practices. International Journal of Horticultural Science and Technology, 13(4), 661-674. doi: 10.22059/ijhst.2025.386382.975
MLA
agele, S. . "Growth and Gas Exchange in Grafted Tomato: Impact of Rootstock Type and Irrigation Practices", International Journal of Horticultural Science and Technology, 13, 4, 2026, 661-674. doi: 10.22059/ijhst.2025.386382.975
HARVARD
agele, S. (2026). 'Growth and Gas Exchange in Grafted Tomato: Impact of Rootstock Type and Irrigation Practices', International Journal of Horticultural Science and Technology, 13(4), pp. 661-674. doi: 10.22059/ijhst.2025.386382.975
CHICAGO
S. agele, "Growth and Gas Exchange in Grafted Tomato: Impact of Rootstock Type and Irrigation Practices," International Journal of Horticultural Science and Technology, 13 4 (2026): 661-674, doi: 10.22059/ijhst.2025.386382.975
VANCOUVER
agele, S. Growth and Gas Exchange in Grafted Tomato: Impact of Rootstock Type and Irrigation Practices. International Journal of Horticultural Science and Technology, 2026; 13(4): 661-674. doi: 10.22059/ijhst.2025.386382.975
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