EFFECTS OF ROOTSTOCKS ON THE DEVELOPMENT, DISEASE RESISTANCE AND QUALITY OF CUCUMIS SATIVUS L.

Effects of 4 rootstocks, i.e., Cucurbita ficifolia ‘Bouche’ (SP1), ‘King Hybrid’ (SP2), ‘Qingdao’ (SP3) and ‘Shuangli No. 1’ (SP4) on the grafted plants with the same scion variety (‘Yuexiu 181’) of Cucumis sativus L. were studied. Results showed that in comparison with those of self-rooted plants (S), florescence of the grafted plants were moved up, position of the first female flower lowered, and yield considerably increased. The incidence and index of downy mildew, whitening and wilt were significantly reduced grafting, except on SP2. Shape index (L/D) of the fruit form plants grafted on SP2 was significantly decreased. Contents of soluble sugar and soluble protein in fruits of all the grafted plants were significantly increased. The content of vitamin C was higher or lower than that of control (S), depending on the kind of rootstock. No obvious changes of water content and taste flavor were detested among fruits of grafted and self-rooted plants.