Grafting of Romanian Melons and Watermelons for Culture from South Area of Romania

Abstract

The vegetable grafting is useful in Romania; it is more difficult in watermelons and melons and it is continuously developing. The research was aimed the establishing of the technological stages for seedling producing of scions (Romanian melons and watermelons) and rootstocks (F1 hybrids of Lagenaria siceraria and Cucurbita maxima x C. moschata) for obtaining of grafted plant seedlings. The experience was realized out on a collection consisting from two Romanian scions, melon (‘Fondant’ variety) and watermelon (‘Dochiţa’ variety) obtained at Research and Development Station for Vegetable Growing Buzău and two rootstocks, bottle gourd - L. siceraria (‘Emphasis’ F1) and interspecific hybrid squash - C. maxima x C. moschata (‘Cobalt’ F1). The obtaining of scion and rootstock plants was made according to the ecological requirements of the species. The grafting was made by annexation (splice grafting). The plants had optimal diameters for splice grafting. Between scions (‘Fondant’ and ‘Dochiţa’) are no diference, statistical analysis could not be performed. Technological stages for producing grafted seedlings of Romanian melon and watermelon were established. The grafting was performed successfully for cucurbit symbiotes (scions and rootstocks). These technological stages for grafting by annexation of Romanian melons and watermelons are recommended for cultures in the south area of Romania.