Evaluation of watermelon rootstocks for off-season production in heated greenhouses
2002
Ioannou, N. | Ioannou, M. | Hadjiparaskevas, K.
The present study aimed to assess the feasibility of growing grafted watermelon in heated greenhouses during the winter months, for early spring production. Three trials were carried out during 1996-99, using two early watermelon cultivars, Sugar Baby and Pata Negra, grafted on five previously selected rootstocks: Lagenaria siceraria 'clavata', Cucurbita pepo 'melopepo', RS 841, Early P and Early M. Grafted and ungrafted (control) plants were transplanted in a heated greenhouse in early December, and harvesting was carried out from early March until May. "Early" yield, harvested in March and early April, represented only a small fraction (up to 20%) of the total yield. Grafted plants were much more vigorous and outyielded the ungrafted controls by 25-95%; fruit quality, however, was better in ungrafted plants. The main problems for off-season production were fruit abortion, early fruit drop and fruit deformation, apparently because of low temperatures and insufficient light.
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