Purdue Extension offers tomato grafting workshops at SWPAC

Grafting tomatoes grown in a high tunnel can help prevent soilborne diseases, says Wenjing Guan, a Purdue professor of horticulture and landscape architecture. (Purdue Horticulture and Landscape Architecture photo/Wenjing Guan) Download image

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue Extension will offer three tomato grafting workshops at the Southwest Purdue Agricultural Center on Nov. 14, 16, and 17 from 2-3 p.m. (EST) each day. The center is located at 4369 N. Purdue Road in Vincennes.

Participants will get hands-on guidance in tomato grafting under the supervision of Purdue Extension educators.

Tomatoes are one of the most profitable crops grown in high tunnels but continually growing a single crop can lead to the buildup of diseases, said Wenjing Guan, assistant professor of horticulture and landscape architecture.

"Grafting has potential to control soilborne diseases and increase yield. It is a value tool for high-tunnel tomato growers," she said. "These workshops will be the first to be held at the SWPAC farm and we hope more tomato growers will take advantage of this training for a technique they can use without the high price of buying grafted plants."

The workshop is free. Registration is required by calling 812-886-0198.

Registration is limited to 10 participants per session. 

Writer: Cheri Frederick, 765-494-2406, cfrederick@purdue.edu 

Source: Wenjing Guan, 765-494-0199, guan40@purdue.edu

Agricultural Communications: (765) 494-8415;
Darrin Pack, dpack@purdue.edu 
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