To achieve a positive outcome, proper techniques must be used to prepare grafted tomato plants. "Many growers are interested in grafting nowadays, but they do not always succeed," said Miquel Ribera from Spain. Ribera knows best in regards optimal grafting as he works for Conic System, a company that designs and manufactures machines for semi-automated grafting.
"A few years ago we started to build semi-automatic grafting machines as we received a request from our customers for a type of technology that would optimize their grafting process," Ribera said.
Grafting can only be successful when a propagator pays attention to several factors. He must not only select the right breed of rootstock with the right scion, but also needs to ensure a uniform size. Next to this, hygiene can also play an important role in the process.
"Grafting can become a big expense for growers when they choose to graft their complete or a large part of their total production," said Ribera. "The grafting process takes a lot of time and a lot of hand labour is needed. Once you have made a selection of rootstocks and scions, you will need to cut the stems of both plants and bring them together with a grafting clip, which is a very precise and time-consuming job."
In order to speed up the process for growers, Conic Systems designed a semi automatic grafting machine. "Our system still needs to be operated by one employee, but it will increase the production of grafted plants significantly," Ribera said. "The worker takes his place behind the machines, with his left hand he picks the plant with the right rootstock and with the other hand he takes a plant with the right scion. After he places both plants in the machine, the machine will automatically cut the stems, and clip them together with an elastic grafting clip. This all happens in less than a second!"
Conic System introduced the machine last year at the international trade shows like the OFA Short Course in Ohio, IPM Essen and Growtech Antalya. According to Ribera, the machine was received very well, especially in North America. "We didn't know that grafting was such a hot topic in The United States until we exhibited at the OFA trade show in Columbus, Ohio," said Ribera. "Many growers on the trade show floor seemed to be interested in a machine that could speed up their grafting process, without having to acquire an expensive full automatic grafter."
For more information: Conic System
Miquel Ribera
miquel@conic-system.com
www.conic-system.com