Effect of different rootstock/scion combinations on yield and fruit quality properties in protected cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) growing

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of grafted seedlings on plant growth, yield and compatibility of grafted cucumber in the greenhouses in two years. Seedlings of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) 'Termessos' were used as scion and control (non-grafted and self-grafted). Thirteen different rootstocks, of which one was Lagenaria, three were wild types (Cucumis hardwickii, Cucumis metuliferus and Cucurbita ficifolia), nine were Cucurbita maxima x Cucurbita moschata hybrids, were used as rootstock in first year. In the second year other rootstocks were used except C. hardwickii. In both years grafted and non-grafted plants were grown in the greenhouse of Bati Akdeniz Agricultural Research Institute. While survival rate was low (70%) in Cucumis hardwickii, Cucumis metuliferus and Cucurbita ficifolia, it was high (83%) in Cucurbita maxima x Cucurbita moschata and Lagenaria type rootstocks. Control plants produced female flowers earlier than the grafted ones. In both years, yield per plant was affected by grafting and C. maxima x C. moschata rootstocks demonstrated good compatibility with the studied cucumber cultivars.