AVALIAÇÃO DOS EFEITOS DE DIFERENTES PORTAENXERTOS PARA A Citrullus lanatus

Abstract

Watermelon is a widely consumed fruit in Brazil, rich in vitamins A and C. The use of grafting can provide gains in resistance to soil pathogens, as well as in phytotechnical performance. The aim was to evaluate rootstock options from the Cucurbita genus for use in watermelon cultivation, with a view to crop growth. The trial was conducted in a completely randomized design (DIC) with 5 replications and 5 treatments, totaling 25 plots. The cultivars used as rootstocks were: the hybrid cv. 'Tetsukabuto F1 Isla' (C. maxima x C. moschata); the strawberry cv. 'Mesa Exposição' (C. maxima); the pumpkin cv. 'Menina Brasileira Precoce' (C. moschata); and the tree pumpkin cv. 'Abobrinha Redonda Clara' (C. pepo). Watermelon cv. 'Crimson Sweet' was used as a scion. At 90 days, the variables number of branches, root length, aerial fresh mass, aerial dry mass and root dry mass were evaluated. After evaluation, the results were submitted to ANAVA using the t-test (P<0.05). Cucurbita moschata and the hybrid showed the best results for grafting watermelon cv. 'Crimson Sweet', while C. pepo and C. maxima were not viable for use as rootstocks It is concluded that the hybrid is the best option for rootstock for use in watermelon cv. 'Crimson Sweet'.