Grafting of cucumber (Cucumis sativum L.) is an important technique for growers as it helps to avoid problems in cultivation. When growing cucumbers through grafted seedlings, the grower must choose the right rootstock and grafting method, because only then can the grafting be successful. The reasons for grafting cucumbers are to increase tolerance to soil diseases and the fact that it is a cheaper and more flexible solution than breeding new varieties or using pesticides. By using the right rootstocks, we can avoid infestation with Fusarium wilt, root rot and nematodes. They can also have alleviate abiotic stresses such as soil pollution, low temperatures, drought and salinity. Many rootstocks have already been tested for all kinds of situations, not only affecting tolerances but also increasing yield and influencing quality. The rootstock with the most positive characteristics is the interspecific hybrid C. maxima × C. moschata, which is very resistant to Fusarium oxysporum, low temperatures and soil salinity, but susceptible to Meloidogyne incognita. Through years of research in the field of grafted cucumber seedlings, the technology has advanced to the point where it is becoming increasingly accessible to growers in Slovenia and growers will thus be able to take advantage of the favorable potential for cultivation in our geographical location.
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