ISHS Acta Horticulturae 898: V International Symposium on Seed, Transplant and Stand Establishment of Horticultural Crops
WATERMELON AND MELON GRAFTING IN COLIMA, MEXICO AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO SOIL DISINFECTION WITH METHYL BROMIDE |
| Authors: | F. Camacho, M. Ricárdez, M.V. Huitrón |
| Keywords: | Citrullus lanatus, Cucumis melo, Fusarium wilt, grafting, rootstocks |
| DOI: | 10.17660/ActaHortic.2011.898.32 |
| Abstract:
Grafting of vegetables is considered an eco-compatible alternative to soil dis-infection with methyl bromide (MB) and it generates employment. Two experiments for watermelon and two experiments with melon were carried out in soils infected with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis; Olpidium bornovanus and Melon necrotic spot virus (MNSV) in Colima, Mexico. Every experiment had ungrafted plants in disinfected soil with MB, and grafted plants in soil without disinfection. The commercial rootstocks ‘RS8441’ and ‘Shintosa Camelforce’ (Cucurbita maxima Duchesne × Cucurbita moschata Duchesne) were used. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with four replications. Plant density for ungrafted watermelon plants was 0.35 plants•m-1, whereas for ungrafted melon plants was 1.85 plants•m-1. Plant densities for grafted plant were 80, 60, and 50% in basis plant density of ungrafted plant. It was measured yield and quality fruit either grafted or ungrafted plants of watermelon and melon. Total yield was higher in both watermelon and melon grafted plants with 50-60% of usual plant density. Grafting improved the fruit quality by increasing the firmness fruit. Grafting improves yield without detrimental effects in fruit quality. Grafting can be an alternative to soil fumigation with MB in melon and watermelon production. | |
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