Effect of Grafting and Nitrogen Application on Yield and Fruit Quality of Grafted and Non-Grafted Melon

Non-grafted and grafted melon plants of cultivar `Khatooni' were evaluated for yields and fruit quality under three nitrogen (N) rates (75, 150 and 225 kg ha(-1)) in open field conditions. The hybrid `Ferro RZ' (Cucurbita maxima Duchesne x C. moschata Duchesne) was used as rootstock. Increasing N fertilization rate from 75 to 150 kg ha(-1) increased marketable yield by 27%, whereas increasing N rate from 150 to 225 kg ha(-1) decreased melon production by 11%. Marketable yield was higher by 19% in grafted than in non-grafted plants. Increasing N fertilization rates from 75 to 150 kg ha(-1) increased above-ground dry biomass with the highest value recorded with 150 kg ha(-1) of N. Nitrogen and total soluble solid (TSS) contents increased in response to an increase in N fertilization with the highest values recorded on plants receiving 150 kg ha(-1). In contrast, dry matter, TSS contents in fruits harvested from non-grafted plants were significantly higher by 8.8% than grafted plants.