Effect of grafting on anatomical and physiological characteristics on Nubian watermelon plant.

Abstract

Two field experiments were carried out on Nubian watermelon (Citrullus lanatus var.Colocynthoide) during the summer season of 2009 and 2010 in the farm of Sakha ResearchStation in Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate. The main objective of the study was to compare betweenthe four rootstocks: bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria), pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata), luffa(Luffa cylindrical) and fig leaf gourd (Cucurbita ficifolia) with non-grafted plants. The studyincluded measurement of biochemical analysis of leaves and seeds, anatomical structure of thegrafting union and successful grafting percentage. In general, grafting plants onto bottle gourdhad higher nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium percentage, while the lowest values wereobtained from grafting plants onto fig leaf gourd. Grafting onto different rootstocks significantlydecreased oil content compared with non-grafted plants. On contrast, carbohydrate content wasincreased by grafting. Nubian watermelon grafted onto luffa had the highest protein content,while the lowest protein contents were obtained from grafting plants onto bottle gourd and fromnon-grafted plants. Grafting onto different rootstocks significantly increased area of both xylemand phloem compared with non-grafted plants. Also, grafting Nubian watermelon onto fig leafgourd and bottle gourd had the highest successful grafting percentage.