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Grafting of watermelon onto Llocal and exotic rootstocks as mean to improve plant growth, production and quality

Ziaf, K ; Sharif University of Technology | 2024

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  1. Type of Document: Article
  2. DOI: 10.21162/PAKJAS/24.271
  3. Publisher: ResearchGate , 2024
  4. Abstract:
  5. Grafting is a technique widely used worldwide to combat biotic and abiotic stresses. However, it is a relatively new concept in Pakistan and needs attention. A two years study was conducted with aim to investigate the impact of local (bottle gourd, pumpkin, vegetable marrow, sponge gourd) and exotic (Korean bottle guard and pumpkin lines 1391, 1392 and 1393 and 1395) rootstocks on growth, production and quality of watermelon scion (hybrid varieties Anarkali and Black Beauty). Self-grafted watermelon plants were utilized as control. Anarkali and Black Beauty grafted onto Desi bottle gourd rootstock showed higher grafting success percentage (89.8 % and 87.8%, respectively), particularly with Anarkali scion that showed grafting success in minimum duration, maximum chlorophyll content and early flower production compared with other grafting combinations. Anarkali and Black Beauty grafted onto Korean bottle gourd rootstock had maximum shoot diameter and highest number of shoots, respectively. Moreover, these plants also showed higher fruit weight and diameter compared with self-grafted plants. Sensory evaluation and quality analysis depicted highest quality of both varieties when grafted onto bottle gourd rootstock followed by self-grafted and Korean bottle gourd grafted plants. During 2nd year, values of almost all parameters including, vine length, length of lateral shoots, weight of largest and total fruit on vine, soluble solid content and vitamin C were highest for Anarkali grafted onto Desi bottle gourd compared to self-grafted and pumpkin 1392 rootstock grafted plants. These findings showed Desi bottle gourd as the best rootstock for both watermelon varieties, particularly Anarkali. © 2024, University of Agriculture. All rights reserved
  6. Keywords:
  7. Bottle gourd rootstock ; Citrullus lanatus ; Fruit quality ; Pumpkin rootstock ; Vegetable grafting
  8. Source: Pakistan Journal of Agricultural Sciences ; Volume 61, Issue 4 , 2024 , Pages 1134-1143 ; 05529034 (ISSN)