Using a new hybrid rootstock significantly increases the grafted plant rate and watermelon yield

Abstract

Rootstocks constitute a very important resource of grafted plants, especially in terms of improving the production of watermelon. In this work, a new rootstock, i.e. 'Wanzhen No. 2', was used to evaluate the grafting effect on three watermelon cultivars ('Xiuli', 'Jinlvhongling', and 'Xinong No. 8') subjected to double-root-cutting grafting. Protected field trials were also conducted. The obtained results have shown that the doubleroot-cutting grafting technique significantly increases the root length and dry weight of 'Wanzhen No. 2', when compared to bottle gourd rootstock. 'Wanzhen No. 2' was also found to significantly increase the average survival rate of grafted seedlings, up to 96% in three experimental bases. The fruits harvested from the 'Wanzhen No. 2' grafted plants had higher weight than those obtained from non-grafted plants, without affecting the central sugar content. By using 'Wanzhen No. 2' as the rootstock, the watermelon yield significantly improved in 'Xiuli' (by 26.7 and 87.4%) and 'Wanzhen No. 2' (by 16.3 and 89.2%), when compared to both the control 'Jiashi' and the non-grafted plant. The yield of 'Xinong No. 8' significantly increased (by 32.2%), when compared to the non-grafted plant. Our study suggests that 'Wanzhen No. 2' is a suitable rootstock for grafted seedlings in three watermelon cultivars. We have provided new insights into the rootstock and contributed to the improvement of watermelon grafted plants. K e y w o r d s: pumpkin, double root cutting, grafted plant, watermelon yield

Survival of side grafts with scions from pure species Pinus engelmannii Carr. and the P. engelmannii × P. arizonica Engelm. var. arizonica hybrid

“…The importance of the study of forest areas that have experienced hybridization has be pointed out, especially in order to identify the advantages of using hybrids for adaptation to extreme environments in which trees of the pure species have less vigor, a solution that can be used in reforestation programs (Zobel & Talbert, 1984;López Upton et al, 2001;Wachowiak et al, 2016). Several studies also indicate that the vigor in plant species may be greater in hybrid offspring, at least in the first generation of hybridization (Djidonou et al, 2016;Xu et al, 2016;Zhang et al, 2019). Ávila- Flores et al (2016a) in their work on hybrid stands of trees in Durango, México, in which the degree of hybridization between P. engelmannii × P. arizonica was studied, indicate that these hybrids may have the potential for adaptation in drought conditions.…”

“…In grafting, the use of hybrids has been studied in conifer species (Marchal et al, 2017;Kita et al, 2018), however, in pines, it has not been studied much (Lott et al, 2003). In contrast, some plants, such as tomato and watermelon have been studied extensively, and survival levels greater than 80% have been reported (Djidonou et al, 2016;Xu et al, 2016;Zhang et al, 2019).…”

Metabolomic and Transcriptomic Analyses Reveal the Effects of Grafting on Nutritional Properties in Eggplant

“…Many contradictory studies have been conducted to determine whether grafting improves or degrades fruit quality [ 5 ]. Higher yields and larger fruits were reported in eggplant, tomato, watermelon, and cucumber when plants were grafted [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]. Interspecific hybrid pumpkin rootstock grafting decreases watermelon fruits taste, total soluble solids (TSS), and sugar content [ 10 ].…”

Effects of Cucurbita, Lagenaria and Citrullus rootstocks on pollen and fruit characters, seed yield and quality of F1 hybrid watermelon

“…The use of rootstocks in watermelon can rapidly transfer nutrients from the soil to the pen, avoid soil diseases and increase plant tolerance in soil salinity, low soil temperatures and moist soil conditions (Salam et al 2002;Claudio et al 2019;Tripodi et al 2019). The type of rootstock affects plant growth, yield and fruit quality (Yetişir et al 2003;El-Kersh et al 2016;Fallik et al 2016;Fredes et al 2016;Huang et al 2016;Maršić et al 2016;Özdemir et al 2016;Zaaroor et al 2016;Liu et al 2017;Ceylan et al 2018;Gaion et al 2018;Zhong et al 2018;Meng et al 2019;Siamak & Paolo 2019;Zhang et al 2019) and also seed yield and qualities (Kombo & Sari 2019;Hussein & Sari 2020).…”