*Solanum aethiopicum* **gr.** *gilo* **and Its Interspecific Hybrid with** *S. melongena* **as Alternative Rootstocks for Eggplant: E**ff**ects on Vigor, Yield, and Fruit Physicochemical Properties of Cultivar** - **Scarlatti**-

**Leo Sabatino 1,\*, Giovanni Iapichino 1, Giuseppe Leonardo Rotino 2, Eristanna Palazzolo 1, Giuseppe Mennella <sup>3</sup> and Fabio D'Anna <sup>1</sup>**


Received: 26 February 2019; Accepted: 29 April 2019; Published: 30 April 2019

**Abstract:** Grafting is generally considered effective in ameliorating vegetable crop tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. The use of interspecific hybrid as rootstock for eggplant may represent a valid alternative approach to enhance eggplant performance. However, studies on the effects of different rootstocks on eggplant plant vigor, yield, and fruit quality traits often show conflicting results. Thus, an experiment was performed in two spring–summer growing seasons (2014 and 2015) by grafting eggplant Scarlatti F1 hybrid on two accessions of *S. aethiopicum* gr. *gilo* and on the interspecific hybrid *S. melongena* × *S. aehtiopicum* gr. *gilo* in comparison to the most common eggplant rootstock *S. torvum*. Results indicate that *S. melongena* × *S. aethiopicum* gr. *gilo* interspecific hybrid and *S. torvum* improved grafting success, plant vigor, early flowering and yield in Scarlatti F1 scion. All rootstocks tested did not negatively influence fruit apparent quality traits and fruit quality composition. Moreover, fruit glycoalkaloids content remained below the recommended threshold value. These findings suggest that the use of *S. melongena* × *S. aethiopicum* gr. *gilo* interspecific hybrid as rootstock may be a good alternative to the most commonly used *S. torvum*.

**Keywords:** wild eggplant relative; interspecific hybrid; scion/rootstock combination; plant vigour; yield; fruit quality attributes
