Abstract:
Grafting and mycorrhizal fungi have gained interest
for the positive effects they can
have on vegetable crops. The aim of this work was t
o study the combined effect of grafting
with Vesicular-Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) i
noculation on fruit yield and
quality of mini-watermelon [
Citrullus lanatus
(thumb.) Matsum and Nakai]. Ungrafted
plants or grafted onto rootstock RS 841 (
Cucurbita maxima
×
C. moschata
) were
transplanted to the field. During cultivation, half
of the plants were inoculated with a
suspension of AMF. Plant growth and fruit yield and
quality were evaluated. The
inoculation of AMF resulted in a significant increa
se of root colonization both for grafted
and ungrafted plants. The grafted inoculated plants
had a greater vigour and productivity
than ungrafted uninoculated plants. Grafting and AM
F inoculation caused significant
increases in yield and fruit weight. Qualitative ch
aracteristics of watermelon fruits were
significantly affected mainly by grafting. The comb
ined use of grafting with mycorrhizal
inoculation may increase the yield of mini-watermel
on fruit, maintaining good quality
characteristics.
Keywords:
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi,
Citrullus lanatus,
Fruit quality characteristics,
Glomus, Vegetable grafting.
