A Comparative Analysis of the Grafting Efficiency of Watermelon with a Grafting Machine

The rising age of the population in rural China and labor intensity grafting have resulted a decrease number grafters subsequent increase their wages. Manual can no longer satisfy increasing demand for watermelon-grafted transplanting; thus, machine will be an effective alternative. In order to accelerate implementation China, comparative analysis between automatic (model 2TJGQ-800) traditional hand was conducted. reliability feasibility were evaluated through comprehensive evaluation production capacity seedling quality. This study focuses on application watermelon plug-tray seedlings. scion rootstock seeds sown 9 November 2022. Grafting experiments using machine, skilled workers, ordinary workers conducted with root-pruned one-cotyledon method 24 results showed that had high uniformity speed. speed 774 plant·h−1 1.65–2.55-fold higher than grafting. With training, improve speed, but it still slower addition, there significant difference survival rate However, grafting, success decreased from 100% 90.07% regrowth increased 18.44% 72.69%. Incomplete cutting, clip supply failure, drop failure are three main factors result failure. conclusion, has advantages terms uniformity. Upon improving accuracy cutting mechanism rate, adopted by commercial nurseries.