Success StoryTomato Grafting Research



Tomato Grafting Research

Author: Robert Kirby

Planning Unit: Knox County CES

Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial

Plan of Work: Home and Commercial Horticulture

Outcome: Long-Term Outcome

With most of the high tunnels in Knox County being NRCS grant funded, certain stipulations are agreed upon by producers when receiving the grant. One of the stipulations is that producers will agree to grow produce in the ground of the high tunnel for a minimum of four years.  Almost all producers in the county have selected tomatoes as their primary crop because of the profit potential but have struggled growing in the ground the second and third years because of nematodes. To address the problem research is being conducted by Dr. Rachel Rudolph and Knox County Agriculture and Natural Resource Extension Agent, Wayne Kirby.  The trial is in it's third year and consists of different varieties of root stock grafted on tomato variety of choice.  This research ended in July, 2021, following data collected from the spring crop production. Data is collected on pounds harvested on each root stock to calculate the root stock's resistance to the nematodes.  The goal of this research is to identify the rootstock with the most resistance so producers in Knox County and across the state can graft tomato plants and grow in the ground for a longer profitable time.








Stories by Robert Kirby


Farmer's Market

about 2 years ago by Robert Kirby

By following the CDC, KDA and local health department guidelines, the Knox County Farmers Market sta... Read More


Knox County Cattleman

about 2 years ago by Robert Kirby

The Knox County Cattlemans had their first meeting following Covid-19 on September 20, 2021. Dr. Ray... Read More


Stories by Knox County CES


Sewing Camp 2022: More than needles & thread

about 2 years ago by Renata Farmer

Sewing camps are more than needles and thread. Learning basic sewing skills provides youth with not ... Read More


Farmer's Market

about 2 years ago by Robert Kirby

By following the CDC, KDA and local health department guidelines, the Knox County Farmers Market sta... Read More


Stories by Horticulture, Commercial


Geographic Horticulture Directory Updated, Traffic Dramatically Increased

Geographic Horticulture Directory Updated, Traffic Dramatically Increased

about 2 years ago by Joshua Knight

RIGHT: Map of Earlier Data (Shared Equipment)Though the Geographic Horticulture Directory of Kentuck... Read More


Landing Page Traffic for CCD Cut Flower Resources Continues to Grow

Landing Page Traffic for CCD Cut Flower Resources Continues to Grow

about 2 years ago by Joshua Knight

The Center for Crop Diversification first established basic content for Cut Flower Production as far... Read More