Brimato: One Plant, Double Benefits- ICAR Grows Brinjal & Tomato on a Single Plant, Know the Process & Profit
This innovative approach developed by the ICAR-Indian Institute of Vegetable Research offers numerous benefits, including increased stress tolerance, enhanced productivity, and efficient use of limited spaces. The future looks promising for urban farmers and gardening enthusiasts.
The ICAR-Indian Institute of Vegetable Research in Varanasi has unveiled an innovative breakthrough in vegetable cultivation. Researchers have successfully developed a grafting technique called Brimato, which allows the simultaneous growth of brinjal (eggplant) and tomato on a single plant. This pioneering approach offers numerous advantages, including increased stress tolerance, improved productivity, and enhanced space utilization.
Grafting Operation:
The grafting operation was carried out on brinjal seedlings aged 25 to 30 days and tomato seedlings aged 22 to 25 days. By employing the side/splice method, researchers made slanting cuts (45° angle) measuring 5 to 7 mm on both the brinjal rootstock (IC 111056) and the scions (Kashi Sandesh brinjal hybrid and Kashi Aman improved tomato cultivar). The grafted seedlings were then placed under controlled atmospheric conditions, maintaining optimal temperature, humidity, and light for the initial 5 to 7 days. Subsequently, they were gradually exposed to partial shade for an additional 5 to 7 days.
Transplantation and Growth Stage:
After 15 to 18 days, the grafted plants were transplanted into the field. Special attention was given to ensuring balanced growth in both the brinjal and tomato scions during the early growth stage. Shoots arising below the grafting union were promptly removed to maintain the desired growth pattern. Fertilizers, including 150:60:100 kg NPK/ha, were applied, along with 25 tonnes of farmyard manure. Remarkably, both the brinjal and tomato plants began fruiting within 60 to 70 days after transplantation.
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Impressive Yields:
The experimental findings showcased impressive results. The tomato plants yielded an average of 36 fruits, with a total weight of approximately 2.383 kg per plant. On the other hand, the brinjal plants produced 9.2 fruits, amounting to 2.684 kg per plant. These encouraging yields highlight the potential of the dual-grafted Brimato technology to maximize productivity in vegetable crops.
Benefits for Urban and Suburban Areas:
The Brimato technique presents a valuable solution for urban and suburban areas where space is limited. This innovative technology allows individuals to cultivate both brinjal and tomato varieties in vertical gardens or pot cultures, making efficient use of terraces and compounds. With Brimato, it becomes possible to harvest a diverse range of vegetables from a single plant, opening up new possibilities for sustainable urban farming.
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Continued Research and Future Prospects:
The ICAR-Indian Institute of Vegetable Research is dedicated to furthering the research and commercial production of Grafted Brimato. This groundbreaking technique has the potential to revolutionize vegetable cultivation and provide fresh produce to communities across the country. With ongoing advancements and wider adoption, Brimato could be a game-changer in maximizing yield and space utilization in vegetable farming.
The introduction of Brimato, the grafting technique enabling the simultaneous cultivation of brinjal and tomato, marks a significant milestone in vegetable farming. This innovative approach developed by the ICAR-Indian Institute of Vegetable Research offers numerous benefits, including increased stress tolerance, enhanced productivity, and efficient use of limited spaces.
