A Cut Above the Rest: The Utilization of Resistant Tomato Rootstocks In Managing Southern Bacterial Wilt In the Eastern United States

Southern Bacterial Wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum, is an extremely devastating soilborne pathogen severely impacting open field commercial tomato production in the Eastern United States. Unfortunately, no current cultural practices or quality resistant varieties are available to aid commercial producers in managing the pathogen.  However, an old technique providing new possibilities is the use of resistant rootstocks grafted with commercial tomato varieties.  In the spring of 2010, four rootstocks having conferred resistance to Southern Bacterial Wilt were placed in 6 replicated small plot trials in NC and TN.  All rootstocks were grafted with the commercial variety FL 47R and were evaluated for disease efficacy and equivalency in plant and fruit quality.  In each of 6 locations Cheong Gang and Shin Cheong Gang consistently showed no incidence to bacterial wilt under elevated disease pressures.  Both rootstocks performed extremely well producing equal to better fruit quality, yield, and size distribution when compared to all treatments including the ungrafted FL 47R.  The high resistance to Southern Bacterial Wilt provided by Cheong Gang and Shin Cheong Gang along with improved plant and fruit quality may offer new possibilities for producers struggling to maintain commercial tomato production in the Eastern United States.