Grafted tomato Cultivation Arka Rakshak
The major threat to Tomato cultivation in the district is the incidence of bacterial wilt disease. During 2016-17 KVK introduced grafted tomato seedlings for overcoming this problem. The F1Hybrid tomato Arka Rakshak released by ICAR- Indian Institute of Horticulture Research was grafted on Bacterial wilt resistant brinjal variety Haritha released by Kerala Agricultural University. As part of the Front Line Demonstration organised, Sri Thomson V, Anaparackal, Kunnamthanam P.O started cultivation of tomato using the grafted seedlings. The seedlings were planted, at a distance of 90 cm in raised beds, and Sri Thomson followed the package of practices for tomato and was able to get a yield of 30.25t/ha. The success of the crop increased the number of farmers cultivating tomato. Also, the success of grafted seedlings in resisting bacterial wilt resulted in increased demand for the grafts among the kitchen garden growers who cultivate tomato in grow bags. During the 2020-21 period 8757 tomato grafts were produced and distributed among the farmers.
