Kamatis + talong = tomato for all seasons

Ever heard of "kamlong"?

It’s "kamatis" (tomato) grafted on "talong" (eggplant) rootstock.

The result: A tomato for all seasons (wet and hot months of the year).

The unique "kamlong" has been the result of a scientific venture done jointly by researchers of the Central Luzon State University (CLSU) in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija; Asian Vegetable Research and Development Center (AVRDC) based in Taiwan; and Technical University of Munich (TUM) in Germany.

Involved in the research are Drs. L.G. Mateo, D.R. Cacho, A.F. Bala, T.M. Aganon, C.P. Aganon, G.C. Bruin, A.C. Roxas, A.G. Marzan, and F.O. Perez. Giving full support to the undertaking is CLSU president Dr. Rodolfo C. Undan.

The team has developed a package of technology (technoguide) for tomato off-seasons production. The package consists of technologies to produce grated tomato seedlings, field management, grafting, and use of rain shelters.

In grafting tomato, eggplant or tomato rootstock varieties can be used but tomato rootstocks like Hawaii 7996 are preferred if production areas are flooded and waterlogged.

Eggplant varieties (e.g. EG-203) for rootstock resistant to bacterial wit and other soil-borne diseases and tolerant to flooding may be used.

Grafting should be done in a chamber with 20 to 25 degrees Celsius temperature and 80-90 percent relative humidity to ensure high recovery of grafted plants.

The researchers advise the grafting of three week-old tomato scions onto four-week-old eggplant or tomato rootstocks.

They reported that it is highly profitable to plant grafted tomato under rain shelter during the wet season.

Initial investment to construct a rain shelter in 1,000 square meters was P8,887.27 (2001 figures). The net profit realized for 1,000 sq.m. was P57,532 from a yield of 2,250 kilos and total expenses of about P33,000.

The facilities at CLSU now allow farmers to buy ready-made grafted tomato. – Rudy A. Fernandez