Anatomical Study on Watermelon Grafting

Abstract

The present study was carried out at Al-Amana nursery in Talkha district, Dakahlya Governorate, Egypt, during the summer season of 2014 to study the effects of different graft combinations between rootstocks and scion of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum et Nakai) var. Lanatus cv. Aswan F 1 . The experiment included thirteen treatments resulted from the combinations of four rootstocks [Jumbo F 1 and Nun 6001 F 1 hybrids [Cucurbita maxima (Duch.) ex. Lam.× Cucurbita moschata (Duch.) ex. Poir.], bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria Standl.) and pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata L.)] and three grafting methods [Hole insertion (HIG), Splice (SG) and Tongue approach (TAG)] as well as non-grafted plants as control. The obtained results illustrated that there was a high compatibility between Watermelon(scion) and Jumbo followed by bottle gourd then Nun 6001 rootstock, where these graft combinations recorded the highest vascular thickness and area of vascular cambium compared to other graft combinations. Although, SG gave the highest area of graft union. In addition, TAG showed the greatest width of graft union which is related to increase of xylem and phloem tissues thickness and area of vascular cambium. Moreover, grafted plants onto Jumbo and bottle gourd using TAG method recorded the highest survival percentage (100 and 98%, respectively) in comparison with other graft combinations. While, grafting onto pumpkin rootstock using HIG method had the lowest values of all studies traits in comparison with other combinations. Generally, the callus development and graft success in Watermeloncv. Aswan F 1 can be performed using Jumbo rootstock with TAG followed by SG method.

Compatibility Evaluation and Anatomical Observation of Melon Grafted Onto Eight Cucurbitaceae Species

“…Graft junctions were collected on day 14 after grafting. The collected samples were placed in 70% FAA (Formaldehyde-acetic acid-ethanol Fixative, Formaldehyde: Acetic acid: Ethanol = 1: 1: 18, volume ratio) for 24 h, and then stored in 70% ethanol at 4 • C. The paraffin section was performed as described by El-Gazzar et al (2017). Samples were sectioned to 8 µm vertically using a rotary microtome (Leica RM2255, Leica, Germany), dewaxed, rehydrated, cleaned, stained with 1% safranin, counterstained with 1% fast green, and then fixed with neutral balata.…”

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

“…To observe the rootstock regrowth, histological study of a pumpkin rootstock cotyledon base in the grafted plants was conducted at 0 h, 12 h, 24 h, and 36 h after grafting, using the paraffin section method. The collected samples were placed in 70% FAA for 24 h and then stored in 70% ethanol at 4 • C. Paraffin sectioning was performed as described by El-Gazzar et al [20]. Samples were sectioned to 10 µm vertically using a rotary microtome (Leica RM2255, Leica, Germany), dewaxed, rehydrated, stained with 1% safranin, counter-stained with 1% fast green, cleaned, and then fixed with neutral balata.…”

Physio-Anatomical Study of Polyploid Watermelon Grafted by Different Methods

“…Five samples (graft union region) were collected from each replicate in Diploid, Triploid, and Tetraploid watermelons after 15 DAG, which grafted with splice and hole grafting method and fixed in FAA solution for 48 h then dehydrated in an ethanol series (30, 50, 70, and 95%), each dehydrated step for 90 min, then softened in glycerol: alcohol mixture (1:1) about one week. Samples were embedded in paraffin wax (52-54 • C), then a ten µm thickness section was sectioned on a sliding microtome [17]. Finally, paraffin sections were examined with an epifluorescence microscope (Leica DM-LS, Leica Microsystems, Wetzlar, Germany).…”