The growing technique of vegetable grafting in India

© Tinneke Hattingh | HD.comIndia's vegetable seed market is a rapidly growing sector, valued between $1.5–2 billion and expanding at a CAGR of 8–12%. This growth is fueled by rising demand for high-yielding crops, government support, and increasing vegetable consumption. VNR Seed, based in India, specializes vegetable grafting, to help address key agricultural challenges within this industry.

Vegetable grafting and benefits when applied
VNR Seed has been researching vegetable grafting since 2002 and commercialized its operations in 2017. This technique involves fusing the rootstock of one plant with the scion of another to create plants with combined benefits such as disease resistance, higher yield, and improved environmental tolerance.

"Grafting is a game-changer in modern agriculture," Pratap explains. "It allows growers to overcome major issues such as soil-borne diseases, low yields, and environmental stress."

According to Pratap, benefits include disease resistance where grafted plants help control bacterial wilt, Fusarium wilt, root-knot nematodes, and other soil-borne pathogens, reducing dependence on pesticides. "It also helps with higher yield and productivity. A stronger root system enhances nutrient and water uptake, leading to increased yield."

"Our rootstocks help plants withstand drought, salinity, and extreme temperatures which means an overall increased environmental stress tolerance." Pratap highlights the fact that grafted plants also lead to improved fruit quality. "Grafted plants produce uniform fruits with better taste and longer shelf life."

Another benefit of grafted vegetables is an extended growing season. "Growers can grow off-season crops and extend their production cycle, increasing profitability."

Impact on growers across India
VNR Seed has developed high-quality rootstocks tailored to specific challenges faced by growers. "We provide grafted plants that help mitigate issues such as bacterial wilt in tomato and eggplant, Fusarium wilt in cucumbers and melons, and Phytophthora in sweet peppers," Pratap notes. These solutions are benefiting growers in states such as Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Odisha, West Bengal, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh.

"The feedback from growers has been extremely positive," he adds. "They report significant improvements in crop health, yield, and reduced reliance on chemical inputs."

Growing sustainably
Beyond grafting, VNR Seed is exploring other advanced horticultural techniques. "We are working on methods to help growers establish successful grafted vegetable nurseries and promoting layering techniques in fruit plants."

He emphasizes that grafting aligns with sustainable farming practices. "It minimizes soil degradation, reduces chemical use, and ultimately leads to more eco-friendly and profitable agriculture."

As India's agricultural sector continues to evolve, vegetable grafting is emerging as a transformative technology. "It empowers growers to cultivate healthier crops, increase productivity, and reduce losses from pests and diseases. With greater awareness and adoption, grafting will play a crucial role in ensuring sustainable and profitable vegetable farming in India."