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

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.742-746
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• 1999

Contents of mineral element and cytokinin in the xylem sap of 'Keumdongee' and 'Tongilhwang' oriental melons were compared with those in oriental melons grafted onto 8 rootstocks. The effect of grafting on the fruit quality of oriental melon was also investigated. Flesh firmness varied with rootstocks. Soluble solids contents in the placenta tissue of grafted 'Tongilhwang' were higher than that in the 'Keumdongee'. Electric conductivity of the xylem sap in own-rooted plants was higher in 'Keumdongee' than in 'Tongilhwang', but it increased in 'Tongilhwang' once they were grafted. The sap volume per plant was greater in 'Keumdongee' than in 'Tongilhwang'. The mineral concentrations varied considerably depending on the rootstock used. Xylem sap of grafted oriental melons contained a higher amount of mineral ions, especially $NO_3{^-}$ and $PO_4{^-}$, than did the sap in own-rooted plants. The increase in the mineral levels in sap due to grafting was most apparent in 'Tongilhwang'. Xylem sap from both 'Keumdongee' and 'Tongilhwang' contained trans-zeatin (t-Z), trans-zeatin riboside (t-ZR), and dihydrozeatin riboside (DHZR). Small amounts of isopentenyl adenine (IPA) and isopentenyl adenine riboside (IPAR) were also detected. Trans-zeatin riboside was the most abundant, followed by t-Z. Cytokinin concentration in 'Keumdongee' was not significantly influenced by rootstock type used, although the highest concentration of cytokinins in 'Keumdongee' was obtained with 'Chamtozwa' rootstock. However, the cytokinin concentration in 'Tongilhwang' increased with grafting irrespective of rootstock type used.