Determination of the Effects of Pumpkin Rootstock on Yield and Fruit Quality in Mini Watermelon Cultivation

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of the pumpkin rootstocks developed through hybridization breeding technique on the yield and fruit quality in grafted mini watermelon cultivation. In this research, seven rootstock candidates obtained from intraspecific pumpkin hybrids developed by rootstock breeding program and RS 841 commercial rootstock cultivar were used. These rootstocks were grafted with Bonanza mini watermelon cultivar. Non-grafted Bonanza seedlings were planted as the control. Total yield (kg/da), average fruit weight, fruit number/plant, fruit dimensions, fruit dry matter content, total soluble solids (TTS), fruit flesh color, fruit firmness and vitamin C values were determined to examine the effect of rootstocks on the yield and quality components of mini watermelon. Mean TTS value was found 11.1% in grafted mini watermelons. This value was 8.9% in non-grafted Bonanza fruits (control). Fruit flesh color, vitamin C and fruit dry matter contents were changed depending on the rootstock. At the end of this study; the 15/B, 26/B and 35/B rootstock/scion combinations had higher values for yield and quality compared to those of the non-grafted and other rootstock/scion combinations.