A New Grafting Method for Watermelon to Inhibit Rootstock Regrowth and Enhance Scion Growth

Grafting is a widely used technique in watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) production. However, cost of grafted seedlings generally high as result intensive labor inputs for propagation using traditional grafting methods such the manual removal rootstock regrowth. This study developed new tool to physically remove epidermis pumpkin (C. maxima × C. moschata) and bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) cotyledon base during grafting; we called this method. Compared with grafting, method significantly decreased regrowth rate from 100% 8% hole insertion 2% one respectively. These attenuated rates were 23% 9% The scion dry weights increased by 78% 74% when was compared without regrown removal, while respective values 33% 17% plants. In addition, time shorter than required manually three times (4.2 s/plant vs. 9.3 s/plant). Similar results also observed 8.8 Taken together, presents reduce regrowth, therefore benefiting both growth plant management, thus development clearly useful