Grafting improves growth and yield of Cucumis sativus plants grown under salinity stresses by modulating antioxidant enzymes, water status and nutrient uptake

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the probability of using the tolerance of a new rootstock plant to salt stress to improve cucumber growth, fruit quantity, and quality under salt stress conditions. Greenhouse experiments were conducted for 2020 and 2021, with five salt stress-tolerant genotypes (rootstock) and salt-sensitive genotype of Luerans (scion). Grafts of these genotypes were subjected to distinct salinity levels of 0, 50, 100, and 150 mM (NaCl). The morphophysiological responses of these genotypes to salt stress were evaluated under normal and stressful conditions. The plant height, leaf area (LA), leaf water content (LWC), number of leaves, root dry matter, shoot dry matter, rates of leaf appearance and stem elongation, fruit yield, and quality increased significantly in grafted cucumber plants compared with non-grafted individuals (control). The physiological properties of antioxidant enzymes, proline content, and leaf nutrient concentration (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, and Na) showed similar findings. Grafting Luerans (scion) onto five rootstocks significantly raised the activity levels of antioxidant enzymes (catalase and peroxidase), boosted proline accumulation, and decreased leaf sodium (Na) content.