Rootstock effects on nematode resistance, growth and yield of greenhouse cucumber

Experiments with cucumbers (variety Kiara) grafted onto different cucurbit rootstocks were carried out to study their susceptibility to the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita. The study was conducted in an unheated glasshouse at the Maritsa Vegetable Crops Research Institute, Plovdiv under an artificial nematode infestation. The growth and productive manifestations of the grafted plants were reported. The lowest root gall index was reported for CM720xNY and CM720xAphrodita, 0.6 and 0.8, respectively. Cucumbers grafted onto CM720xNY rootstock showed the best productive qualities and realized the highest quantities first and second quality produce (34880 kg/ha and 29320 kg/ha, respectively) and total yield (64210 kg/ha). The cucumber grafted onto CM720xCarotina rootstock showed the lowest productivity - 13540 kg/ha first quality, 15460 kg/ha second quality and a total yield of 29000 kg/ha. Relatively the best biometric parameters were established in cucmber grafted onto CM720xAphrodita and CM720xNY rootstocks. Keywords: cucumber, grafting, Meloidogyne incognita, biometrical parameters