Rootstock Compatibility and Effect on Growth and Quality of Grafted Cucumbers

Objective Effects on growth, yield, and fruit quality as well as compatibility between the cucumber explant and different rootstocks for grafting were studied.

Methods Japanese Jinda Taiben (JJT), Japanese Yuki Cedar F1 (JYC), Jingxin Rootstock No. 5 (JR5), Jingxin Rootstock No. 1 (JR1), Jingxin Rootstock Crown (JRC), and Yunnan Black Seed Pumpkin (YBCP) were used as rootstock to graft the scion, Shuyan White Green Cucumber in an experiment with the cucumber seedlings as control (CK). Survival rate, agronomic traits, yield, and nutritional quality of cucumbers of the grafted plants were monitored.

Results The survival rates of the grafted plants were higher than 88% with JR5 topped the rate at 94.95%, which was chosen as the optimal rootstock for the grafting. A cluster analysis divided the 6 rootstocks into incompatible and compatible grafting symbiotic groups that placed JR5, YBSP, JJT, and JYC in the group for incompatible grafting. All grafted plants displayed in varied extents of improvements on growth vigor, yield, and fruit quality over CK. Among the rootstocks, JR5 showed the most significantly enhanced plant growth vigor, increased vitamin C, soluble sugar, and soluble protein contents in the fruits, and raised 7.57% yield that reached 59557.10 kg·hm⁻².

Conclusion As a rootstock for grafting cucumber explant, Jingxin Rootstock No. 5 demonstrated a high compatibility between them with desirable agronomic traits, yield, and fruit nutritional quality on the grafted cucumber and was recommended for framing applications.