The Effects of Grafting on Plant, Fruit and Seed Quality in Cantaloupe (Cucumis melo L. var. cantalupensis) Melons

Grafting techniques are being used to improve economically important horticultural crops including Cucumis melo L. This 2-year study was carried out at Cukurova University, Adana, Turkey. aimed evaluate the effects of grafting using different rootstocks on plant, fruit and seed quality in cantaloupe melons. The double haploid (DH) female (H27) male (H4) parental lines Solmaz F1 (Cucumis var. cantalupensis) variety developed by University Faculty Agriculture were as scion three commercial interspecific hybrid Cucurbita (Cucurbita maxima Duchesne × moschata Duchesne) varieties, Nun-9075 (Nunhems), Ares (ITU) TZ-148 (Clause) rootstocks. also self grafted ungrafted parents control group. crossed during pollination. Graft combinations compared for performances measured parameters such main stem length (cm), diameter (mm), node number, harvest time (day), weight (g), cavity flesh thickness rind total soluble solids (TSS, %), productivity (%), number full empty seeds (number/fruit), 1000 germination rate (%) emergence (day). Most have been positively affected grafting. use interspesific resulted high values group however, time, diameter, fuit not statistically significant between Considering performed lower than control. current concludes that plays a crucial role plant growth, characters Statistically differences mostly observed based evaluated parameters.