Question about a possible grafting rootstock

[tomato]

The reason you can't find a tomato that is immune to early blight is because there is currently no such critter. Early blight tolerance is present in several wild species of tomatoes. It is a quantitatively inherited tolerance meaning several genes contribute a tiny bit. There are at least 10 different genes identified at this time and a certainty more will be found. But even if all of the genes were added together into a single variety, we are only talking about tolerance, not immunity.

DarJones

[linuxer1999]

Thank you DarJones. No doubt, you are exactly right. My efforts may be better focused at improving the soil and rotating crops. It bothers me though that other nightshades in the same garden, like Bell Pepper and Eggplants, are completely unaffected by Early Blight. Perhaps I should be grafting on to those as rootstock? hmmm.

I planted Hairy Vetch late last year in the problem garden in hopes that it may help. Sadly, rabbits ate every bit of it right down to the ground. In another less problematic plot (protected with a short fence) was impressed to discover that Vetch survives snow and ice. Deer have only eaten half of it there.

My numerous seed catalogs only list one tomato variety as EB resistant on line 1: Mountain Magic. Eh, we'll see.

Am putting some genuine Ozark Tommy Toes out there too. Yep, probably hopeless as well.

Also started Maxifort rootstock that now days away from being ready for top-grafting. Will be fun to see if I can get good productivity out of large/delicious heirloom scions someplace this year.

Incidentally, Maxifort lists resistance to everything in the book, EXCEPT EB. Oh well.