Utilizing grafting techniques with wild and cultivated cucurbit rootstocks: Enhancing crop resilience and performance

Abstract

Initially, grafting was used to propagate trees with challenging root systems or susceptibility to pathogens. Now, it is widely applied to vegetable crops, especially solanaceous crops and cucurbits. In the case of cucurbits, grafting focuses on finding suitable rootstocks for cucumber, enhancing resistance to soil-borne pathogens, particularly nematodes. Wild cucurbit rootstocks are generally more resistant to diseases due to their robust root systems. This increased resistance, coupled with better nutrient uptake, helps mitigate biotic stress. The rootstocks include, bitter apple (Citrullus colocynthis) pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata), bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria), and sponge gourd (Luffa cylindrica). Two cucumber scions, Pusa Uday and Swarna Sheetal were grafted using two methods-tube grafting and tongue approach grafting. Among these, tongue approach grafting was found to have a higher success rate for both scions. This method demonstrates the potential to improve disease resistance in cucumber plants while ensuring better growth and survival. Grafting could be a viable strategy for controlling soil-borne pathogens like root-knot nematodes in cucumber production.