Abstract

HERNANDEZ-GONZALEZ, Zamny et al. Effect of rootstock on yield and fruit size in grafted cucumber. Rev. fitotec. mex [online]. 2014, vol.37, n.1, pp.41-47. ISSN 0187-7380.

This study tested if growth and fruit yield of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) could be improved by grafting, since the grafting technique has been successful in reducing soil-borne diseases, increasing drought resistance, and improving water and nutrient uptake. Plants were grown in a greenhouse and the following treatments applied, 1) Normal cucumber (not grafted); 2) Cucumber grafted on 'pipian' pumpkin (Cucurbita argyrosperma K. Koch var. stenosperma); 3) Cucumber grafted on figleaf gourd (Cucurbita ficifolia Bouché); and 4) Cucumber grafted on luffa (Luffa cylindrica L.). Treatments were distributed in a completely randomized design with 20 replications. The experimental unit was a potted plant. Differences among treatments (P ≤ 0.05) in leaf area, fruit weight per plant, and total biomass accumulation were found. Positive and significant (P ≤ 0.05) correlations between fruit yield and some variables were found as well. Pumpkin and figleaf gourd rootstocks favored a significant (P ≤ 0.05) increase in cucumber yield, while the luffa rootstock showed a negative effect on all growth variables and fruit yield.

Keywords : Cucumis sativus; Cucurbita ficifolia; Cucurbita argyrosperma; Luffa cylindrica; tongue approach grafting.

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