Grafting is an effective method of reducing the susceptibility of watermelon to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum Schlecht. emend. Snyder & Hansen, which causes Fusarium wilt, and to stress caused by low temperatures. The most important aspect of grafting is the choice of rootstock, as it determines the changes in the plant’s growth and the quantity and quality of its fruit. Rootstocks suitable for reducing the susceptibility of watermelons to F. oxysporum f. sp. niveum are Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Strandl., Cucumis pustulatus Naudin ex. Hook.f. and Cucurbita moschata Duchesne × Cucurbita maxima Duchesne hybrids. To reduce the effects of temperature stress, the most suitable hybrid for grafting is C. moschata × C. maxima. Numerous studies have shown that grafted plants perform better than non-grafted plants, as evidenced by data on increased survival rates, higher vegetative growth, higher yields and better fruit characteristics in the presence of Fusarium wilt. Similar results were obtained from studies on the effect of low temperatures on grafted watermelon plants compared to non-grafted plants. The grafted plants had higher vegetative growth, higher number and weight of fruit, and higher levels of chlorophyll, carotenoids, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase and catalase. Grafting is a widely used technique that allows the production of heat-intensive watermelons in areas with lower temperatures and limited growing space. Compared with the use of pesticides and growing in closed structures, grafting can achieve the same or better results without negative impacts on the environment.
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