Double Grafting as a Method to Solve Affinity Problems in 'Piel de Sapo' Melon Cultivars

Abstract

The grafting technique is broadly used in Spain to control some soil pathogens in watermelon crop. However, it is scarcely used in melon crops, especially in `Piel de Sapo¿ cultivars, since them have low affinity with Cucurbita hibrida, the most important rootstock used in these crops, having the most resistance to the main soil borne diseases, specially Monosporascus and Melon Necrotic Spot Virus (MNSV). Some melon cultivars of `Cantaloup¿ and `Galia¿ types have proved to be tolerant to some diseases and have good affinity with `Piel de Sapo¿ cultivars but they do not resist intense attacks of Monosporascus. In the present study we tested the double grafting of four `Piel de Sapo¿ cultivars (`Ricura¿, `Torpedo¿, `Piel de Sapo IS¿ and `Sancho¿) on Cucurbita hibrida (`Strongtosa¿) using as intermediate rootstock four melon cultivars: three french `cantaloupe¿ varieties (`Troubadour¿, `Charentais¿ and `Sienne¿) and `Galia¿; using as controls the single grafted and the non-grafted plants. The grafting, both double and single, increased yields and fruit weights compared to non-grafted plants. The double grafted plants, whatever the intermediate rootstock used, did not increase yields or fruit weights compared to single grafted plants in all scion cultivars.