Articles
WATERMELON (CITRULLUS LANATUS) GRAFTING METHOD TO REDUCE LABOR COST BY ELIMINATING ROOTSTOCK SIDE SHOOTS
Article number
871_53
Pages
389 – 394
Language
English
Abstract
Watermelon grafting methods vary from Europe and Asia and are based on efficiency, skill and needs.
China mainly practices the whole insertion grafting method where as Europe and Japan employs the splice/slant-cut grafting method.
These methods are not suitable for grafting production in the U.S. due to the intense amount of labor cost necessary to successfully produce grafted watermelon transplants.
This paper introduces a modified grafting technique called the cotyledon devoid method.
Both rootstock cotyledons are removed at time of grafting to eliminate any potential rootstock regeneration.
By allowing the rootstock and scion material to develop, to the appearance of the second or third true leaf before grafting, (employing the complete removal of both cotyledons) grafting success greatly increase.
Furthermore by removing the need to maintain an active root system by excising the root, hypocotyl energy reserves can be conserved to initially heal the graft union and then generate new roots as needed.
Grafting was performed on ten plants in five replications using four different rootstocks: Lagenaria siceraria Emphasis, Citrullus lanatus var. citroides Ojakkyo, Cucurbita moschata × Cucurbita maxima Strongtosa, and Citrullus lanatus var. lanatus Tri-X 313. All scion material was Citrullus lanatus var. lanatus Tri-X 313. Rootstocks and scion material was allowed to develop conjointly to the appearance of the first, second and third true leaf whereupon both cotyledons were removed and grafting was performed at each respective developmental stage.
A 65° angle was cut below and half an inch below the rootstock and scion cotyledons respectively.
Opposing cuts were matched together and secured with a plastic clip.
Roots were subsequently excised from the rootstock at soil base and inserted into fresh media for rooting.
Grafts were randomly placed inside a healing chamber for 7 days.
China mainly practices the whole insertion grafting method where as Europe and Japan employs the splice/slant-cut grafting method.
These methods are not suitable for grafting production in the U.S. due to the intense amount of labor cost necessary to successfully produce grafted watermelon transplants.
This paper introduces a modified grafting technique called the cotyledon devoid method.
Both rootstock cotyledons are removed at time of grafting to eliminate any potential rootstock regeneration.
By allowing the rootstock and scion material to develop, to the appearance of the second or third true leaf before grafting, (employing the complete removal of both cotyledons) grafting success greatly increase.
Furthermore by removing the need to maintain an active root system by excising the root, hypocotyl energy reserves can be conserved to initially heal the graft union and then generate new roots as needed.
Grafting was performed on ten plants in five replications using four different rootstocks: Lagenaria siceraria Emphasis, Citrullus lanatus var. citroides Ojakkyo, Cucurbita moschata × Cucurbita maxima Strongtosa, and Citrullus lanatus var. lanatus Tri-X 313. All scion material was Citrullus lanatus var. lanatus Tri-X 313. Rootstocks and scion material was allowed to develop conjointly to the appearance of the first, second and third true leaf whereupon both cotyledons were removed and grafting was performed at each respective developmental stage.
A 65° angle was cut below and half an inch below the rootstock and scion cotyledons respectively.
Opposing cuts were matched together and secured with a plastic clip.
Roots were subsequently excised from the rootstock at soil base and inserted into fresh media for rooting.
Grafts were randomly placed inside a healing chamber for 7 days.
Publication
Authors
F.D. Memmott, R.L. Hassell
Keywords
transplants, leaf stage, re-growth, cotyledon devoid, healing chamber
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