Grafting Hybrid and Monoecious Cucumbers onto Cucurbit Rootstocks Enhances Growth and Yield under Net House Conditions

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Research

Authors
C. Thangamani 1
J. Suresh Kumar 2
L. Pugalendhi 1
R. Saravanan 3
N. A. Tamilselvi 1
P. S. Khapte 4
S. Ajith 5
1 Department of Vegetable Science, Horticulture College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore 641003, Tamil Nadu, India.
2 ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.
3 Division of Crop Production, ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695017, India.
4 ICAR-National Institute of Abiotic Stress Management, Baramati 413115, Maharashtra, India.
5 Department of Agricultural Statistics, Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Cooch Behar, West Bengal, India.
Abstract
Grafting is an effective method to mitigate biotic and abiotic stresses while enhancing yield in horticultural crops. This study evaluated suitable cucurbitaceous rootstocks for improving cucumber yield and quality under net house conditions. Two cucumber cultivars, Green Long (GL an OPV (a monoecious, open-pollinated variety) and NS 408 (a F1 hybrid), were grafted onto five rootstocks: Cucurbita ficifolia, Cucurbita moschata, Cucurbita maxima, Lagenaria siceraria, and Luffa cylindrica. Results showed that NS 408 outperformed GL in both grafted and non-grafted conditions. Among the rootstocks, NS 408 grafted onto C. maxima (winter squash) had the highest graft survival (79 ± 1.8%), most extended vine length (700 ± 16 cm), and maximum fruit yield (8.3 ± 0.017 kg per plant, 118.42% increase over non-grafted NS 408). Grafting GL onto winter squash improved yield by 42.11% over non-grafted NS 408 and by 86.21% over GL control. Fruit quality parameters such as total soluble solids, palatability, ascorbic acid, and soluble protein were unaffected or improved, confirming that grafting did not negatively influence market quality. Economic analysis revealed the highest benefit-cost ratio (>2.5) in NS 408/WS, indicating that grafting is a cost-effective alternative to expensive hybrid seeds. These findings highlight the potential of grafting to optimize cucumber production, reduce reliance on pesticides, and improve profitability in protected cultivation.

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Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 05 October 2025