• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.33-38
• /
• 2012

Growth response of 'Sambokkul' watermelon grafted onto different rootstocks including 4 $Citrullus$ rootstocks and 3 other cucurbitaceous rootstocks was evaluated at two different temperature regimes. Significant reduction in plant growth rate was observed in plants grown at low temperatures (LT) as compared to those grown at normal or optimal temperatures. Relative growth reduction were 40~47% for vine length, 39~51% for total leaf area, 38~59% for shoot fresh weight, and 57~87% for plant dry weight, respectively. Watermelon rootstock PI 482322 showed comparable plant growth as the most popular rootstock 'Shintozwa' even at LT. 'Sambokkul' watermelon grafted onto watermelon hybrids, 'PI 271969 ${\times}$ PI 296341' and 'PI 271769 ${\times}$ Calhoun Gray', showed comparable plant growth as 'FR Dantos' bottle gourd rootstock. Index of growth ability at LT, which was calculated on the basis of reduced rate of vine length, dry weight and leaf area, was significantly high in $C.$ $martinezii$, 'Shintozwa', PI 482322, and 'PI 271769 ${\times}$ PI 296341' rootstocks (50% or higher) and low in own-rooted 'Sambokkul' or in watermelon plants on 'Knight' rootstock. Watermelon hybrids, 'PI 271969 ${\times}$ PI 296341' and 'PI 271769 ${\times}$ Calhoun Gray', showed better or at least comparable growth at low temperatures as compared to 'FR Dantos', confirming the feasibility of using watermelon rootstocks even in low temperature conditions.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
• /
• v.32 no.5
• /
• pp.614-622
• /
• 2014

Melons (Cucumis melo L.) are generally grafted onto Cucurbita rootstocks to manage soilborne pathogens such as Monosporascus root rot and v ine decline (MRR/VD) and Fusarium wilt. However, g rafting onto Cucurbita rootstocks reportedly results in the reduction of fruit quality. In this study, the resistance to MRR/VD, yield, and fruit quality of melons grafted onto melon rootstocks were evaluated under greenhouse conditions. Eight melon rootstocks (R1 to R8) were used and the inodorus melon 'Homerunstar' was used as scion. Melon rootstocks R1 to R6 were selected based on resistance to MRR/VD under greenhouse conditions. Non-grafted 'Homerunstar' and plants grafted onto squash interspecific hybrid 'Shintozwa' rootstock (Cucurbita maxima D. ${\times}$ C. moschata D.) served as controls. Grafted melons were cultivated in the greenhouse infested with Monosporascus cannonballus during two growing seasons (summer and autumn). The responses to MRR/VD, yield, and fruit quality differed depending on the rootstocks and growing season. The melons grafted onto 'Shintozwa' exhibited less severe disease symptoms and higher survival rates than non-grafted melons in both seasons. While the melon rootstocks in the summer cultivation did not increase the survival rate compared to non-grafted melons, the melon rootstocks R1 and R2 in the autumn cultivation led to higher survival rates. The melon rootstocks resistant to MRR/VD increased the percentage of marketable fruits and marketable yields. Grafting onto the melon rootstocks caused little or no reduction of fruit quality such as low calcium content, fruit softening, and vitrescence, especially in lower-temperature autumn season. Accordingly, these results suggest that grafting onto the melon rootstocks may increase the tolerance to MRR/VD and the marketable yield without a reduction of fruit quality.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
• /
• v.28 no.4
• /
• pp.438-446
• /
• 2019

The interest in mini watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) with small fruits weighing 2-3 kg has increased by the increasing trend in one-person households and consequent tendency to consume small meals. Watermelon grafting onto cucurbit rootstocks is a very effective way to control soil-borne diseases, such as Fusarium wilt; however, this practice negatively impacts the fruit quality. This study was conducted to investigate the growth, fruit set, and fruit quality of mini watermelon grafted onto wild watermelon accessions (Citrullus spp.) resistant to Fusarium wilt. Five watermelon accessions (Galactica, IT 208441, PI 482322, PI 500303, and PI 593358) were evaluated as rootstocks for the mini watermelon "Ministar". Non-grafted "Ministar" and "Ministar" grafted onto "Shintozwa" (Cucurbita maxima D. C. moschata D.) or "Bullojangsaeng" (Lagenaria leucantha) were used as controls. The roots of the transplants grafted onto "PI 593358" and "Shintozwa" weighed more than those on other rootstocks. Additionally, the transplants on "PI 593358" showed better growth and fruit set in the field than the other transplants. However, the total soluble solid contents and fruit quality indices of the transplants on "PI 593358" and "Shintozwa" were lower, whereas the total fruit quality index of those on "PI 482322" was higher. Thus, the wild watermelon accessions tested can potentially be used as basic germplasm for developing watermelon rootstocks instead of cucurbit rootstocks. The most promising accession for this purpose was found to be "PI 482322".