Pomato: Two Crops on One Plant

Pomato is a hybrid plant where tomatoes and potatoes are grown on the same plant. It’s not a genetically modified organism (GMO) but rather the result of plant grafting, where the tomato plant (above ground) is grafted onto a potato plant (below ground). Both belong to the Solanaceae (nightshade) family, making them compatible for such a technique.

How Pomato is Made:

1. Selection of Plants: A healthy tomato plant and a healthy potato plant are chosen.
2. Grafting Technique:

• The tomato stem is cut just above the root zone.
• The potato plant is cut just above the soil level.
• The tomato shoot is grafted onto the potato rootstock using the cleft grafting or splice grafting method.

3. Healing Phase: The grafted plant is placed in a humid, warm environment to allow the tissues to fuse.

4. Growth: Once healed, the plant is allowed to grow normally, producing tomatoes above ground and potatoes underground.

Advantages of Pomato:

• Dual Harvest: Produces two vegetables from a single plant—tomatoes and potatoes.

• Space-Saving: Ideal for urban gardening, balconies, and small farms.

• Efficient Resource Use: One plant system uses sunlight, water, and nutrients to grow two crops.
• Educational Tool: Great for teaching plant biology, grafting, and crop innovation.

Limitations:

• Not a Natural Hybrid: No seeds are produced that can regrow pomato; grafting must be done each time.

• Requires Skill: Grafting must be precise; failure can result in poor union or plant death.

• Limited Commercial Use: Mostly used for demonstration, research, or home gardening rather than for large-scale farming.