ATRIAL FOR IMPROVING YIELD AND FRUIT QUALITY OF WATERMELON BY GRAFTING

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess the impact of propagation of watermelon, Citrullus lanatus cultivars Peacock wm60 and Aswan, through grafting on plant growth and productivity. The investigation involved using two grafting methods, splice and tongue approach, and five rootstocks, 6001, Super shintoza and Ferro which are commercial hybrids of C. maxima x C. moschata, local cultivar of pumpkin Lagenaria siceraria and the watermelon CV against direct seed plants. Grafting methods pronounced significant impact on watermelon vegetative growth and fruit quality. Based on data of grafting on the experimental five rootstocks, plant growth attributes and fruit yield and quality were positively influenced by all rootstocks compared to grafting on local rootstock, self-scion or direct seed plants. Rootstock of 6001 appeared superior to others on the measured plant parameters on cultivar Peacock wm60, Super Shintoza rootstock appeared superior to others on the measured plant parameters on cultivar Aswan. Local rootstock affected poorly on plant growth and yield compared to other rootstocks but superior to self-scion or direct seed plants. The data concluded that, grafting method of splice and Tongue Approach were advisable if rootstocks of 6001, Super Shintoza and Ferro were used for watermelon propagation via grafting. Key words: Watermelon, grafting, rootstock, propagation .