Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development

ADER code and

project name:

3.3.7. Optimizing the grafting of vegetable species with a share in

crops, to improve fruit’s productivity and quality, in conditions of

increasing of the biotic and abiotic stress factors

Name of

contractor:

Institute of Research and Development for Industrialization and

Marketing of Horticultural Products - Horting, Bucharest

Contact address

(phone, e-mail,

postcode, CUI,

account):

(00 4021) – 461.07.06, fax: (00 4021) – 460.07.25

e-mail: horting@gmail.com, Romania, Bucharest, sector 4, code

41715, Drumul Gilăului 5N,RO13146912,RO

RO68TREZ70420G332000XXXX

Director (name,

surname, fixed and

mobile phone,

e-mail):

Ștefan Constantin, fixed phone 0214610706 and mobile phone

0722668281, e-mail horting@gmail.com

Economic director

(name, surname,

fixed and mobile

phone, e-mail):

Niculina Tanasa, (00 4021) – 461.07.06, (00 40) 741 067 911,

horting@gmail.com

Project manager

(name, surname,

fixed and mobile

phone, e-mail):

Marian Bogoescu, (00 4021) – 461.07.06, (00 40)741 067 922,

bogoescumarian@gmail.com

Year of project

start:

Year of project completion: 2018 Duration (no. of months):38

Objective of the I st Phase :

Study on global and national achievements in the field of research

and development, implementation and optimization of technologies

for getting the grafted seedlings of vegetables and of grafted

vegetables cultivation in conditions of accentuation of biotic and

abiotic stress.

Expected results to achieve phase goal:

Rootstocks and scions recommended in the literature to be used in

the process of grafting vegetables (peppers, tomatoes, cucurbits,

eggplants).

Grafting systems internationally used in vegetable crops, from

solanaceae and cucurbits group.

Type Species Producer Comments

100% manual grafting, individual

operation

A person performs all the stages of the selection process

of grafted seedlings and rootstocks after fitting in

diameter for grafting, cutting the graft and rootstock

according to the method established by the technologist;

placing the grafting clip at the rootstock; joining those

two seedlings; placing the grafted seedlings in the tray.

This operation is most commonly found

in many countries, including Korea,

Japan, Spain, and Mexico. The

advantages include a high flexibility and

a performing traceability of workers.

This type of operation requires

appropriate training of the operators.

100% manual

grafting,

individual

operation

100% manual grafting, working band

activity

The tasks are distributed among several groups, each

having a well-defined operations to perform . The image

presents a grafting group that introduces tomato

seedlings into the tubes placed on the top of the

rootstock. In this organization of activity there are

separate groups that perform different operations: grafts

and rootstock’s preparation, placing clips, etc.

This working procedure is very common

in the Netherlands. 100% manual

grafting,

working band

activity

Semi-automated grafting In this working system, a combination of operations are

performed by semi-automated grafting robots and the

ones which are carried out by operators. Each grafting

robot needs two workers to supply it with grafts and

rootstocks. It is required the existence of an additional

qualified worker who inspects the grafting quality at the

end of the transportation band.

This operation can be found at a small

number of producers in Korea, Japan,

Mexico and Spain. The advantage is the

efficient use of the seasonal unskilled

workers, together with the skilled

workers. The disadvantages include

limited robot flexibility and high capital

costs for achieving the investments.

Semi-

automated

grafting

100% automated grafting Completely automated robots are used. Grafting can be

done with a skilled worker who will have more

responsibilities, respectively, to use the grafting device,

to control the grafting quality and to insert the grafted

seedlings trays in the tunnel of healing.

This grafting system is very new and has

been tested in Japanese companies. The

success rate may depend on seedling

quality and uniformity, which requires a

high technology to produce seedlings and

rootstocks.

100%

automated

grafting

Grafting operations of vegetables

Objective of the II nd Phase - 2016:

Specification of the technological requirements for obtaining the grafted

peppers seedlings.

Expected results to achieve the phase goal:

o Establishing the time differences between rootstocks and seedlings sowing

depending on the used rootstocks and the main pepper cultivars used in

Romania.

o Specification of the environmental factors requirements of the plantlets in

the grafting process.

o Determination of the grafting yield according to the grafting method used.

o Technology for obtaining the pepper grafted seedlings.

o 10 000 grafted seedlings of tomatoes, eggplants, pepper and cucurbits.

Name of the event R & D Unit

and Collaborators

Progress period Participants

Training regarding the

grafting of the vegetable

seedlings - accomplished

in March / April within

ADER 3.3.7 Project.

ICDIMPH-Horting

14.03.2016

17.03.2016

07.04.2016

31.03.2016

Producers from Colibaşi,

Giurgiu County

Producers from Budesti ,

Calarasi county

Students of the first,

second and third year,

assisted by teachers from

the Faculty of

Horticulture, USAMV,

Bucharest

Students of the third

year of ISB Faculty from

Polytechnic University of

Bucharest

Technological transfer activities performed in the II nd Phase

Image regarding the Technological transfer activities performed

in the II nd Phase

Objective of the III rd Phase - 2016:

Establishing the specific technological particularities for the cultivation of

grafted vegetables from the pepper group in protected areas and in the field.

Expected results to achieve the phase goal:

establishing the density

establishing the system for the culture management

determination of the appearance of the first crop

determination of the yield at the area unit

determining the influence of grafting on the tolerance degree and resistance to the

main pathogens and soil pests

Images regarding the organized experiences at the Project Manager and Partner III

Technological transfer activities - Phase III

Name of the event R & D Unit

and Collaborators

Progress

period

Participants

1.Symposium : "Species, varieties and technologies for

cultivation of plants adapted to the climate changes in the

sandy soil area of Oltenia"

2.Scientific paper: "Increasing the resistance of vegetable

plants to stress factors by grafting" –

Symposium: "Species, varieties and technologies for

cultivation of plants adapted to climate change in the sandy

soil area of Oltenia"

3. Scientific paper and published paper: „The crop of

grafted peppers as an alternative - concerning the yield and

quality – for vegetables growers”,

III rd International Symposium on Horticulture In Europe –

SHE 2016

4. Scientific paper and published paper: “The water quality

and irrigation method influence about the autumn white

cabbage yield”, The 15th International Symposium”

“Prospects for the Third Millennium Agriculture”

5. Scientific paper : “Technological Features and Elements

of Economic Efficiency Regarding the Semi-automatic

Grafting of Vegetables ”, COST FA 1204 – Final Conference

Partner III - CCDCPN

Dăbuleni

Elena Ciuciuc,

TomaVasile, Mihaela

Croitoru, Marieta Ploae,

Alina Paraschiv, Partner III

Marian Bogoescu, Daniela

Iorga, Lucian Dumitrescu,

Marian Vintilă – Conducător

de proiect

Marian Bogoescu Project

Manager

Marian Bogoescu Project

Manager

14.06.2016

14.06.2016

17-21.11.2016

29.09 –01.10.2016

19 -21.09.2016

Scientific researchers, agricultural

producers, ASAS, officials from the

Agricultural Department

Scientific researchers, agricultural

producers, ASAS, officials from the

Agricultural Department

Scientific researchers, University

teachers, agricultural producers from

Europe, ISHS members

Scientific researchers, University

teachers, agricultural producers,

ASAS, officials from the County

Agricultural Department

Scientific researchers, University

teachers, agricultural producers from

Europe, ISHS members

Objective of the IV th Phase-2017:

Optimizing the technologies for obtaining the grafted seedlings of tomatoes,

eggplants and peppers by implementing the semi-automated grafting method.

Expected results to achieve the phase goal:Semi-automated technologies for obtaining the grafted seedlings of tomatoes, eggplant, peppers

and cucurbits;

20 000 grafted tomatoes, eggplant, pepper and cucurbits seedlings;

Activity Report for the IV th Phase;

Financial Report.

Specification of the cost price for grafted seedlings (average data) made by manual and semi-

automated grafting method

Cost item Manual

grafting

Semi-

automatic

grafting

Salary 160,10 78,8

Materials,d.c. 356 352.7

Clips 15 21

Alveolar trays 86 86

Nutritive mixture 75 75

Blades 5 5

Utilities 80 91

Amortization 5,8 6,1

Fertigation 24 24

Phytosanitary treatments 30 30

Technological losses of seedling and

rootstock seeds 33 14.7

Other materials 8 6

Total direct costs 516.1 431.5

Indirect costs 18% 92.89 77.67

Profit 8% 48.72 40.73

TOTAL 657.71 549.9

Objective of the V th Phase-2017:

Specification of the technological features specific for producing a grafted

vegetables crop from the group of peppers in protected areas and in the field;

genotype’s evaluation and bio-material sorting according to project’s

objectives.

Expected results to achieve the phase goal:

Determination of the behavior of pepper culture (yield, quality, obtaining the first crop,

nutritive value) depending on:

soil temperature at planting

ambiental temperature

water stress

attack of soil diseases and nematodes

Specifying the economic effect of the grafting process on the peppers culture

Establishment of a 3 genotypes of rootstocks (each one for peppers, tomatoes, eggplants)

according to the objectives and requirements of the project obtained after the genotyping

evaluation and the biological material’s sorting

Crops technologies of peppers, tomatoes, eggplants and cucurbits cultivated in protected

areas and/or in the field in order to reduce production losses due to thermic, hydro and biotic

stress

General picture for GR-800CS grafting robot

Vegetable’s Grafting from the solanaceae group (tomatoes, eggplant, peppers)

The GR-800CS robot has two arms that take the seedlings (grafts and rootstocks) from

the two operators.

1. Arm for seedling

2. Arm for rootstock

3. Cutting devices

with adjustment

micrometer

4. Bunker for clips

5. Transporting belt

for clips

6. Attaching and

gripping device

with clips for

seedlings

7. Transporting belt

8. Grafted seedling

Objective for the VI th Phase – 2018:

Behavior’s verification of the selected peppers rootstock in the previous stages,

optimization of the technology of obtaining seedlings of grafted cucurbits by

implementation of the semi-automated grafting method, dissemination of the recorded

results in the carried out activities in the multiplying greenhouse.

Expected results to achieve the phase goal:

• Experimental land for 1000 wires of pepper rootstocks within multiplying greenhouse

• 10.000 grafted seedlings of tomatoes, eggplants, peppers and cucurbits

• A workshop in the pilot multiplier greenhouse

• An article for a specialty magazine

• Activity report for the VI th Phase

• Financial report

Conclusions

Following the carried out researches was established the behavior of the selected peppers rootstokes

in the previous stages, respectively, the optimization of the technology for obtaining the grafted

seedlings of cucurbits by implementing the semiautomated grafting method with the grafting robot

AFGR-800CS;

In order to avoid the genetic incompatibility phenomena it is necessary to check the compatibility

between seedling and rootstock by conducting the biological tests;

For recording a high yield in grafting, the following technical principles should be followed:

o matching the clip so that to not crush the stem of the seedlings;

o cutting the seedlings oblique, with an angle of 35-45 degrees, ensuring a larger contact surface

between the rootstock and the seedling to increase the chances of healing;

The thickness of the seedling at the cutting site to corresponds to the thickness of the rootstock

section, respectively, the sorting of the material before the grafting operation, in accordance with

the diameter of the stem;

Execution of the grafting operation in the young seedling phase (as long as the seedlings are younger

the chances of success are higher);

Inserting trays with grafted plants into the healing tunnel immediately after grafting for avoiding

the plant’s fading;

respecting the recommended temperature inside the healing tunnel as 25°C; the maximum

temperature will not exceed 26 - 27°C, under the relative air humidity conditions of 98-100%.

Name of the event R & D Unit

and

Collaborators

Progress

period

Participants

TV show ICDIMPH - HORTING 14.03.2018 TVR 1 show named „In Dana’s garden”

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jJIaNbmo0Wm&feature=share

Researchers of Horting Institute who presented some aspects in this field:

Ph. D and Scientific Researcher I st degree Marian Bogoescu, Ph. D and Scientific

Researcher I st degree Victor Lăcătuș, Scientific Researcher III rd degree Eng.

Lucian Dumitrescu

Training regarding the

mechanized grafting of

vegetables seedlings of

cucurbits (watermelons)

HelperRobotech

(Coreea de Nord)

14-16.03.2018 ICDIMPH-Horting

Korean experts have presented/disseminated information regarding the using of

the grafting robot type AFGR-800CS for solanaceae and cucurbits and have

performed practically the mechanized grafting of some cucurbits seedlings

(watermelons), with this latest generation robot.

Workshop/Traininig

Regarding the manual and

mechanized grafting of

Solanaceae (tomatoes,

peppers and eggplants) and

watermelons, carried out in

April within ADER 3.3.7

Project

ICDIMPH - HORTING 17.04.2018 4 groups of students of the 2nd year of the Horticulture Faculty within the

USAMV Bucharest - Assisted by a professor from the Department of Vegetables

(Ph. D Hoza Gheorghita).

Ph. D and Scientific Researcher IInd degree Mădălina Doltu from the Horting

Institute has presented several technological aspects in this field, respectively,

manual and automated grafting of vegetable seedlings (tomatoes, eggplants,

peppers, green melons), machine system for mechanization and automation of

the operations in multiplier greenhouse.

Publishing of an article in a

specialized journal

ICDIMPH - HORTING 13.03.2018 “Farm” specialized journal

https://www.revista-ferma.ro/articole/horticultura/robotul-pentru-altoit-legume

Technological transfer activities - Phase III

Objective for the VII th Phase – 2018:

Examination of the previously results obtained in comparative cultures and dissemination

of the research results obtained in the optimization of the vegetable’s species grafting

with high importance in culture, for improving the productivity and the quality of the

fruits, in the conditions of the biotic and abiotic stress factor’s accentuation.

Expected results to achieve the phase goal:

4 experimental lands in protected area and field with the indigenous rootstocks obtained in

the previous phases, in order to verify them and to obtain the seed material

Storage Technology of the grafted vegetables on different new indigenous and commercially

recognized rootstocks.

Publishing of an article in specialized journals and attending with two scientific papers at the

prestigious internal and international scientific events (CO, P1, P2, P3)

Organizing of a workshop, publishing of a brochure, attending to specialized radio shows

Activity report for the VII th Phase

Financial report

After the cutting of the graft and rootstock, the two arms will align face to face, perpendicularly to the

working table axis and the clips are arranged on the supplying belt, dispensing one by one, depending on the

working machine’s frequency.

The clip is pushed by the piston, opens and catches together those two plants along the line of the oblique

cutting point, ensuring a firm contact between the two plants, but without destroying the stem tissues of

rootstock and seedling.

CONCLUSIONS

In all the researched variants the yield per unit area and the degree of precocity were

mostly influenced by the used rootstock and the degree of compatibility between the

seedling and the rootstock

The nutritive value of the grafted vegetables is not negatively modified by the rootstock

and the grafting operation, in the case of the biologically compatible combinations of

seedlings x rootstock

In order to avoid the phenomena of genetic incompatibility it is necessary to check the

compatibility between seedlings and rootstocks by effectuation of biological tests

Partner no. 2 - The Vegetable Research and Development Station from Buzau has obtained

from the National Institute for Registration of Varieties-ISTIS a patent for a variety of

eggplants and the accepting of the designation for 2 varieties of vegetables in order to

provide the legal protection. All have been used in the experiments carried out within the

project:

o Patent no. 00519 for REBECA eggplant variety

o FLAVIOLA tomatoes variety

o REGAL pepper variety

inserting the trays with grafted plants into the healing tunnel, immediately after grafting,

to avoid the plant’s fading;

respecting the recommended temperature into the healing tunnel as 25oC; the maximum

temperature will not exceed 26-27oC, under the conditions of relative air humidity of 98 -

100%.

As a result of the activities under the VIIth Phase, seven demonstrative lots of land were

organized, which presented the crop technologies and the results for the tomato, eggplant, peppers

and melons species- grafted vegetables - in the following locations: ICDIMPH - Horting, ICDLF Vidra,

SCDCPN Dăbuleni , SCDL Buzău, Agropol - Popeşti Leordeni from the Ilfov Agricultural Sector, SCDL

Iernut, Revagro Agricultura SRL Agigea.