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Chinese Agricultural Science Bulletin ›› 2025, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (30): 60-69.doi: 10.11924/j.issn.1000-6850.casb2025-0281

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Screening and Comprehensive Evaluation of Fusarium Wilt-Resistant Melon Grafting Rootstocks

WANG Manman(), FENG Lulu, ZHANG Huimin, YAN Honglang, WANG Kang()   

  1. Jiangsu Yanjiang Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Nantong, Jiangsu 226012
  • Received:2025-04-14 Revised:2025-08-22 Online:2025-10-25 Published:2025-11-04

Abstract:

The paper aims to investigate the effects of fusarium wilt-resistant rootstocks on the comprehensive traits of melons and to screen for rootstock varieties with high graft compatibility, strong disease resistance, and excellent quality. In this study, the melon scion cultivar ‘Tongtianmi No.1’ was selected as test material, and grafted onto 35 rootstock genotypes. Comparative evaluations were conducted between own-root seedlings and grafted combinations for fusarium wilt resistance, alongside physiological assessments at both seedling and fruit maturation stages. Rootstock screening and comprehensive evaluation were performed using correlation analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), membership function value analysis, and cluster analysis. Results demonstrated that all grafted combinations achieved survival rates exceeding 80%, with fusarium wilt resistance categorized as resistant or highly resistant. Coefficients of variation (CV) for plant and fruit traits ranged from 5.45% to 19.11% (mean CV=13.52%). Correlation analysis revealed varying degrees of associations among 15 agronomic traits. PCA extracted five principal components explaining 87.913% of the total variance across 35 grafted combinations. Both PCA and membership functions ranking results showed high consistency, with minor discrepancies in individual genotypes. A composite ranking based on the arithmetic mean of both methods identified ‘Shengzhen No.1’, ‘Jinzuan’ and ‘Jinzhen No.1’ as the top three performers. Cluster analysis classified the 35 rootstocks into three groups, with group I (18 genotypes, all cucurbita rootstocks) exhibiting superior comprehensive traits, making them ideal candidates for rootstock breeding and germplasm innovation. Through multivariate statistical analysis, three elite rootstock cultivars of ‘Shengzhen No.1’, ‘Jinzuan’, and ‘Jinzhen No.1’ were selected for their combined advantages in high yield and quality, providing robust material support for premium grafted melon production.

Key words: melon, fusarium wilt, grafting, rootstocks, principal component analysis, membership function analysis, comprehensive evaluation, variety screening