Fruit and Seed Yields of Watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. and Nakai] Grafted onto Different Bottle Gourd (Lagenarai siceraria Molina Standl.) Rootstocks

In this study, the effect of rootstock on seed yield of watermelon was investigated. The watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum and Nakai] cultivar Crimson Tide was grown three successive years by grafting onto Lagenaria type rootstocks to investigate rootstocks effects on seed yield. Skopje, Emphasis, 216 and FRG (hybrid) and Birecik (landraces) were used as rootstock and ungrafted Crimson Tide watermelon cultivar was used as the control. The study was conducted in research area of Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Cukurova located in Cukurova region, Southern Turkey, where watermelon cultivation is conducted mostly under low tunnels for early production. Plants were grafted by hole insertion grafting method and grown under low tunnel conditions until the outdoor temperature was suitable (22-25ºC) for watermelon production. Fruit yield, seed number/kg fruit flesh, seed number per fruit and unit area were significantly affected by rootstocks and the grafted plants produced higher seed yield than the ungrafted control plants regardless of growing year. Rootstocks with vigorous root system caused increased seed yield by promoting plant growth, fruit number and fruit size in grafted watermelon.