Reponse to the watermelon cultivation (Citrullus lantus L.) to the method and pattern of grafts adapted yo acid soil conditions

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the watermelon crop behavior (Citrullus lanatus L.) over pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) and chilacayote (Cucurbita ficifolia) patterns, to adapt and control diseases in acid soils.
Design/methodology/approach: The grafting procedure was according to the methodology proposed by Miles (2014). The research was carried out in two phases; the variable of the engraftment percentage of the pattern (EPP) was measured in the laboratory; on the field, the variables of Number of Flowers (NF), Total Flowering, and Number of Guides (NG). It should be mentioned that the study was established under completely randomized block design (Yij????i??j??ij), the experimental unit is made up of four plants, in which the field variables were measured. The data was analyzed with the Statistic Analysis System.
Results: According to SAS the best grafting method is approximation, because it shows a higher percentage of engraftment in both patterns, while the pumpkin pattern resulted as the best (85.50%).
Implications/ limits of the research: Due to the climatic conditions of the region, establishing the watermelon crop must be done in the first fortnight of the month of February, otherwise the reproductive stage will coincide with the season of highest precipitation, which will cause a high incidence of diseases.
Findings/conclusions: The approximation grafting had better results than the spike grafting, because there were more engraftments. Concerning the best pattern, the grafting over pumpkin gave better results in the specific adaptation to soils of the region.