Influence of Different Rootstocks on Some Quality Parameters of Grafted Melon Seedling

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the effects of different rootstocks on some growth characteristics of grafted melon seedlings under greenhouse condition in 2020. In the study, four different rootstocks were used: 1-Ungrafted, 2-Ferro, 3-Maximus and TZ148. Edalı F₁ variety (Cucumis melo var. Edalı F₁) was used as a scion. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized block design with three replications. Melon and rootstocks seeds were sown on 28.04.2020 and rootstock seeds on 03.05.2020, respectively. Grafting was done on 15.05.2020 and was performed through the splice grafting method. Some growth characteristics studied on melon seedlings were fresh-dry seedling weights (FSW-DSW), stem diameter-height (SD-SH), leaf number-length (LN-LL), fresh-dry root weights (FRW-DRW), root height (RH) and chlorophyll content (CC-SPAD) and some macro-micro nutrient contents. According to the results of statistical analyses, positive differences were found in the grafted seedlings compared to non-grafted seedlings at these parameters (p<0.01). In many of the seedling quality values, Ferro and Maximus hybrids stood out temper to others. Also, in the experiment, correlations between FSW and SD, RH, SPAD and total N content were found significant.