PORTAINJERTOS NATIVOS DE Solanum lycopersicum L. Y SU EFECTO EN EL RENDIMIENTO Y TOLERANCIA A Meloidogyne incognita

Gall-forming nematodes of the genus Meloidogyne are a phytosanitary problem difficult to control in tomato crops. Different methods have been used for their management: synthetic nematicides, organic amendments and biological control. These methods have had different levels of success. Little is known of the use of native rootstock, which could be a good alternative for tomato production. The objective of this study was to evaluate three native S. lycopersicum rootstocks (genotypes: Manzana, Ciruelo and Arriñonado) with a commercial saladette-type hybrid (Cid F1^®) of indeterminate growth to determine the best combinations of rootstock and hybrid, their response in the presence of the nematode M. incognita, and their productivity under greenhouse conditions. The variables evaluated were soil nematode population, root gall index, crop yield, and fruit parameters: weight, polar and equatorial diameters, pH, electric conductivity, total soluble solids, and firmness. The combination Cid F1-Manzana genotype significantly reduced the root gall index, relative to the control, showing moderate resistance and low juvenile second-stage M. incognita (J2) nematode populations in the soil. The three rootstocks, Manzana, Ciruelo and Arriñonado, increased yield by 125.90, 97.06 and 77.5%, respectively, relative to the control. The largest diameters of the fruits were recorded when the Hybrid Cid F1® was grafted onto Manzana. The use of native rootstock with the hybrid is a viable alternative that can increase yield and fruit quality of tomatoes in systems of protected agriculture.