engleski

Growth and yield of grafted cucumbers in the soil infested with root-knot nematodes

Cucumber is among the most grown crops in protected cultivation worldwide. Despite the expansion of soilless cultivation in greenhouses, there is still considerable acreage of soil grown cucumbers. The monoculture or narrow crop rotation are widely present in greenhouse production, and can result in problems with soil born diseases and pests. Grafting at tolerant rootstocks as alternative to usage of pesticides could be more sustainable approach, particularly for organic production. The aim of this research was to determine the effect of rootstocks on cucumbers growth and yield in soils infested with root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.). Cucumber (cv. Adrian) was grown on its own roots or grafted on three rootstocks of Lagenaria siceraria (Emphasis, S-1, and Gourd) and two interspecific hybrid rootstocks of Cucurbita maxima x C. moschata (Strong Tosa and RS 841 Improved). The experiments were carried out in commercial greenhouse, with cucumber grafted on three rootstocks in first, and five rootstocks in the second spring-summer season. The vegetative growth of plants (height and no. of leaves) was considerably affected by grafting on different rootstocks in both seasons. The yield (no. of fruits and weight per plant) was higher on plants grafted on Strong Tosa compared to other rootstocks or un- grafted plants in first season, and the same was found for Strong Tosa and RS 841 Improved in the second season. Although high variability was detected for number of nematodes per gram of root tissue the differences among rootstocks were not significant. Grafting of cucumbers on different rootstock was confirmed as an acceptable non-chemical method in overcoming limitations of soils infected with root knot nematodes, but the effect was highly dependable on choice of rootstock. The method could be suitable especially for small producers which could not adopt expensive soilless system of production.

Cucumis sativus ; greenhouse ; Meloidogyne spp ; rootstocks

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