Researches on the pests evolution in grafted watermelon crops

Abstract

Grafting, at watermelons, could be used to increase resistance to environmental stress, in order to increase resistance to soil pathogens and pests (nematodes, European mole cricket, wire, white or grey worms), also could reduce, during the vegetation period, the pests attack (aphids, thrips, two-spotted spider mite, seedcorn maggotand mining fly). It is presented the situation of the trade, made by Kileler Plants SRL with grafted seedlings of green melons, grafted vegetables from Greece. Plants obtained from grafted melon seedling have not been attacked bynematodes, and the percentage of plants attacked by European mole cricket, wireworms, white worms and gray worms was lower, less than 0.1% of grafted plants have been destroyed by pests, in respect with 4.8% from non-grafted plants. The pest control technology during the vegetation period, is presented, showing that in the case of grafted plants at least one control treatment may be reduced.