Rootstock effects on seed yield and quality in watermelon

Abstract

This research was conducted to investigate rootstock effects on seed yield and quality in watermelon. The work was conducted in the experimental fields and laboratories of the Department of Horticulture of the University of Cukurova in the 2016 and 2017 growing seasons. Watermelon cv. Crimson sweet (CS) scion was grafted onto three different rootstocks (Cucurbita ‘NUN-9075’, Lagenaria ‘Argentario’, and citron watermelon ‘PI296341’). Plants were assessed according to their main stem length, main stem diameter, number of nodes, biomass, pollen production and development, fruit yield and quality, and seed yield and quality. NUN-9075/CS and Argentario/CS graft combinations resulted in higher average stem length, plant biomass, fruit yield and quality, seed yield, seed emergence, and germination percentage. There was no significant difference observed between graft combinations in pollen viability, pollen germination, and normal pollen production. No significant difference was observed between graft combinations in accelerated ageing (AA), and the seed germination decreased after AA of 192 h. In the second year (2017), there was higher main stem length, main stem diameter, total fruit yield, seed yield, and number of seeds per fruit compared to the first year (2016). Based on the results of this study, NUN-9075 rootstock performed better than other rootstocks; hence, it is recommended as the best rootstock.