Iranian Journal of Horticultural Science

Iranian Journal of Horticultural Science

Evaluation of growth, water, nitrogen, potassium use efficiency and nitrate ‎reductase activity in grafted melon “Khatooni” under soilless culture

Document Type : Full Paper

Authors
Mesbah Babalar 1
Roghayeh Javanpour 2
Abdolkarim Kashi 1
Mojtaba Delshad 3
1 Professor, College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
2 Ph.D. Candidate, College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
3 Associate Professor, College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
10.22059/ijhs.2017.210888.1039
Abstract
Vegetative traits, chlorophyll content, water use efficiency, nitrogen, potassium and nitrate reductase activity of leaves and root tip were investigated in composition of the melon 'Khatooni' on squash cultivars Ace and Shintozwa under greenhouse conditions. Treatments consisted of melon grafted on squash, melon on melon, squash on melon, squash on squash, melon and squash own-rooted. Results showed that melon grafted on Shintozwa  had stem length (408.3 cm), leaf number (38.56), total leaves fresh weight (156.7 g), total shoot fresh weight (132.7 g), leaf area (18517.6 cm2), biomass (247.5 g), leaf dry matter (14.19%), shoot dry matter (7.96%) and root dry matter (17.46%) more than Ace. Grafted melons on both rootstocks were increased water, nitrogen and potassium use efficiency. The amount of total nitrogen and leaf nitrate on Ace rootstock was more than Shintozwa. The leaf ammonium on Shintozwa rootstock was more than Ace. A high nitrate reductase activity of leaves was obtained on melons grafted on Ace rootstock. Nitrate reductase activity in roots was higher than the leaves especially in the case of grafting. Root nitrate reductase activity was demonstrated a negative correlation with shoot length, biomass, leaf fresh weight, shoot fresh weight, leaf total area and root dry matter. Grafted melons totally contain large amount of organic nitrogen were compared to non-grafted, which it related to nitrate reduction and high nitrate consumption.
Keywords
Melon
nitrate reductase
nitrogen
rootstock
scion‎
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Iranian Journal of Horticultural Science
Volume 51, Issue 1
Spring 2020
Pages 123-138

  • Receive Date 02 July 2016
  • Revise Date 23 April 2017
  • Accept Date 23 May 2017