Cultivation

Watermelon rootstock

Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai

The use of rootstocks for watermelon is necessary to overcome the thermophilic nature of the root system and to provide protection against soil-borne pathogens. Utilizing specialized rootstocks allows plants to remain active at soil temperatures ranging from +6...+8°C.

In the reference 42 varieties crop Watermelon, where this is mentioned in the description.

The inherent roots of watermelon are sensitive to soil temperature drops below +12...+15°C, at which point absorptive activity ceases. Lagenaria, fig-leaf gourd, and interspecific squash hybrids are used as rootstocks, providing resistance to Fusarium wilt and maintaining root system functionality under cool conditions.

Modern interspecific squash hybrids offer technological advantages: the absence of pronounced stem hollows, which facilitates grafting, and the ability to maintain stable fruit size and sugar content. The choice of rootstock directly affects the enzymatic activity of the scion tissues and the quality of their union.

Grafting technology requires synchronization of the sowing dates for the rootstock and scion to align stem diameters, as the morphology of watermelon does not provide for a thick cortex. The most effective methods are tongue-approach grafting, splice grafting, or hole insertion, which ensure reliable functioning of the combined plant's vascular system.

General information about the subject — on the page Rootstock.

Sources8

Varieties of Watermelon mentioned in the description

Selection based on the description text, not on official evaluation: these data are absent from registers. For specific variety details, please refer to its profile.