Reference: Abel, Grafito
Pomato is a precise concept. As the name suggests, Pomato is a combination of potato (urula kizhangu) and tomato (thakkali). No one should dismiss this as unbelievable.
It is produced by joining the two plants through the physical process of grafting. Since both plants belong to the same plant family, this is botanically possible.
Pomato works because potato and tomato plants belong to the same plant family. The two are joined through grafting, a physical process where one plant is carefully connected with another so both can grow from the same plant system.
Space advantage: The available space can be utilized for two crops at the same time.
Yield limitation: A limitation is that the yield from both plants is average.
This concept, developed for urban farming, must be made possible on a commercial basis with the help of mechanized, expert grafting.
Abel says that grafting robots offer great potential to researchers trying to develop new varieties.
This could help in transferring the disease resistance and other special characteristics of wild varieties to more crops, including paddy, legumes, and ornamental plants.
After completing the vegetable grafting project, Grafito also has a plan to prepare a grafting robot for semi-hardwood saplings.
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What is a Pomato plant?
Pomato is a combination of potato and tomato. It is created by joining the two plants through grafting. Because both plants belong to the same plant family, the idea is botanically possible and allows two crops to be grown using the same available space.
Is Pomato created by seed or grafting?
Pomato is produced through the physical process of grafting, not by simply sowing a special seed. The potato and tomato plants are joined carefully so they can grow together. Expert grafting is important, especially if the concept is to be made practical on a commercial basis.
Why is Pomato useful for urban farming?
Pomato is useful for urban farming because it helps utilize limited space for two crops at the same time. This is especially relevant where growing area is limited, such as terrace gardens, compact farms, and city-based cultivation systems.
Does Pomato give high yield from both crops?
The key limitation is that the yield from both plants is average. Pomato is attractive because it combines potato and tomato in one grafted plant system, but growers should not expect maximum yield from both crops compared with separate specialized cultivation.
Can Pomato be grown commercially?
The concept must be made possible on a commercial basis with the help of mechanized, expert grafting. Manual grafting can demonstrate the idea, but large-scale production requires accuracy, speed, and consistency, which is why grafting robots are important.
How can grafting robots help agriculture?
According to Abel, grafting robots offer great potential to researchers trying to develop new varieties. They may help transfer disease resistance and other special characteristics of wild varieties to crops such as paddy, legumes, and ornamental plants.
