SALT TOLERANCE AND MINERAL RELATIONS FOR GRAFTED AND UNGRAFTED WATERMELON PLANTS GROWN IN NFT

With the aim of determining whether grafting could improve salinity tolerance of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus L.), a greenhouse experiment was carried out to determine yield, fruit quality, gas exchange and mineral composition of watermelon plants (cv. ‘Tex’), either ungrafted or grafted onto two commercial rootstocks ‘Macis’ (Lagenaria siceraria L.) and ‘Ercole’ (Cucurbita maxima Duchesne × Cucurbita moschata Duchesne) and cultured in NFT. Plants were supplied with a nutrient solution having an electrical conductivity (EC) of 2.0 or 5.2 dS m^-1. Increased salinity in the nutrient solution decreased total yield.
Total fruit yield was higher in grafted than in ungrafted plants.
Salinity improved fruit quality in grafted and ungrafted plants by increasing dry matter and total soluble solid content.
Nutritional qualities of grafted watermelons were similar in comparison to those of ungrafted plant.
In all grafting combinations, negative correlations were recorded between Na⁺ and Cl^– in the leaf tissue and yield.
Grafting reduced concentrations of sodium, but not chloride, in leaves.

VIII International Symposium on Protected Cultivation in Mild Winter Climates: Advances in Soil and Soilless Cultivation under Protected Environment

G. Colla, Y. Rouphael, M. Cardarelli, O. Temperini, S. Fanasca, F. Pierandrei, A. Salerno, E. Rea

Citrullus lanatus L., grafting, salt tolerance, NFT, rootstocks

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2007.747.28