Abstract :
Two experiments were conducted during the summer and winter seasons of 2013 to study the effect of grafting using different rootstocks on the yield and quality and chemical analysis of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) cultivar Hady under high and low temperatures. The experiments consisted of 5 treatments, 4 rootstocks, namely Bottle Gourd (Lagenaria siceraria Standl.), Supper Shintosa (Cucurbita maxima Duchesne×Cucurbita moschata Duchesne), Squash 3 (Cucurbita pepo) and Ferro’ (C. maxima × C. moschata), in addition to non-grafted control. Data were recorded on plant length and physical characters of fruits 30, 60 and 90 days after planting, early and total yield/m², chemical characters (percentage of dry matter, TSS and total and reducing sugars) of cucumber fruits and percentage of N, P and K in cucumber leaves. The results indicated that Ferro rootstock increased plant height, physical characters, early and total yield of cucumber fruits in both summer and winter seasons, as compared with non-grafted control. No significant effect was detected from using rootstocks on N, P and K percentage in cucumber leaves, except grafting cucumber on Bottle Gourd rootstock which significantly increased N% only in the winter season. Chemical contents of cucumber fruits were not affected by grafting in summer season, while Bottle Gourd increased total sugars and Ferro rootstock caused significant increase in the percentage of dry matter and reducing sugars in winter season as compared with non grafted plants.
