Manhal Ali^1*, Abobud Aljasim² and Ibrahim ALshtywy²

1 Ph.D. Student, Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Alfurat University, Syria.
2 Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Alfurat University, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Manhal Fadel Ali, Email: manhalfadelali01@gmail.com / 0992611823). 

Received: 27/ 6/ 2025             Accepted: 6/ 11/ 2025

Abstract: 

This research was conducted to study the effect of grafting three pumpkin rootstocks onto four watermelon cultivars and their impact on productivity traits. Four watermelon cultivars (Raad, Elita, Nevada, and Slyn Black) were grafted using the side grafting method onto three pumpkin rootstocks belonging to the genus Cucurbita moschata (Zag, Speder, and Sasha), in addition to an un-grafted control. The research was conducted in Hasaka Governorate (Hasaka City, Syria) for the 2024-2025 seasons. The research was conducted according to a split-block design with three replicates, and the averages of each genotype of the watermelon plant were compared separately. Watermelon seeds were planted in (5/2/2024-2025), while pumpkin seeds were planted on (17/2/2024-2025). The side grafting process was carried out on (27/2/2024-2025). The results showed the following: The rootstock (Zag) outperformed the rest of the rootstocks (Speder Sasha), and the control without grafting, in all production traits: dry weight of the vegetative system (g. plant-1), dry weight of the root system (g. plant-1), thickness of the fruit peel (cm. fruit-1), thickness of the pulp of the pod (cm. fruit-1), weight of the fruit (kg. fruit-1), productivity of the plant (kg plant-1), productivity of the marketable pods (ton. ha-1), and total productivity (ton. ha-1). No differences appeared between the grafts used (Raad, Elita, Nevada, Shelian Black), and they all outperformed the control plant without grafting (Control).

Keywords: Graft, Rootstock, Grafting, Watermelon, Pumpkin.

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF