Effect of Rootstocks and Grafting Methods on Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) Production

Abstract

The present study was carried out at a private nursery in Mansoura city and a private farm at Zayyan region, Belqas district, Dakahlia Governorate during the two summer seasons of 2014 and 2015 to study the effects of different rootstocks and grafting methods on growth, yield and fruit quality of watermelon cv. Aswan F 1. The experiment included thirteen treatments resulted from the combinations of four rootstocks [Jumbo F 1 and Nun 6001 F 1 hybrids (Cucurbita maxima × Cucurbita moschata), Bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria Standl.) and Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata L.)] and three grafting methods [ Hole insertion (HIG), Splice (SG) and Tongue approach (TAG)] as well as non-grafted plants (control). The treatments were arranged in a randomized complete blocks design with three replicates. The results indicated that grafting, especially onto Jumbo rootstock using Tongue approach grafting method, recorded the greatest values of vegetative growth parameters (lateral stems number, leaves number and foliage dry matter %), female flowers number and early and total fruit yield compared to non-grafted plants in both seasons. Grafting combinations didn't show any significance differences with regard to sex ratio. Furthermore, there was a balance between number of fruits per plant and average fruit weight which eventually led to early and total yield increasing compared to non-grafted plants in both seasons. The highest values of total soluble solids (TSS), reducing sugars, vitamin C and Lycopene were estimated in the fruits of grafted plants onto Jumbo rootstock compared to other rootstocks in both seasons. On the other hand, the grafting methods had insignificant effects on fruit quality during both seasons. Therefore, the using of Jumbo as rootstock and Tongue approach as grafting method may be a successful strategy to increase vegetative growth, yield and fruit quality of watermelon cv. Aswan F 1 under similar conditions of this study.

Performance of Grafted and Non-Grafted Cantaloupe Plants Undergo Different Fertilization Rates of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium

“…Regarding to, fruit quantity and quality, the different reports worldwide demonstrated that the fruit weight, total and early yields, fruit yield varied depending on both rootstock and scion types. Karaca et al (2012), El-Gazzar et al (2016), El-Kersh et al (2016) and Kombo & Sari (2019). Similar findings were observed in grafted watermelon and confirmed by El-Gazzar et al (2016) and Gómez et al (2017).…”

“…Karaca et al (2012), El-Gazzar et al (2016), El-Kersh et al (2016) and Kombo & Sari (2019). Similar findings were observed in grafted watermelon and confirmed by El-Gazzar et al (2016) and Gómez et al (2017). Pulgar et al (2000), Hu et al (2006), Yuan et al (2016), and declared that the NPK concentrations in melon plants could be affected by both the scion and by the rootstockscion interaction.…”

“…Numerous reports worldwide demonstrated that the fruit yield varied depending on both rootstock and scion types. Karaca et al (2012), El-Gazzar et al (2016), and Kombo and Sari (2019) studied the impact of rootstocks on the fruit yield of watermelon plants using different rootstocks. They observed that grafted plants recorded the highest values of average fruit weight, total and early yields, and non-grafted ones.…”

Multiplication of pecannut varieties at different times of grafting

“…The variation in number of leaves may also be due to the genetic reason i.e. each cultivar has its own genetic background (El-Gazzar, et al, 2016).…”