Comparative analysis of sugar accumulation patterns in small-fruited watermelon under grafting conditions

ZHANG Xuelian; XU Binghua; GU Yan; BAI Tian; LIU Lu; SUN Yudong

doi:10.16861/j.cnki.zggc.2024.0526

Abstract：Grafting is one of the most effective cultivation methods to overcome continuous cropping obstacles in water-melon production. To explore the accumulation patterns of sucrose,fructose,and glucose in small-fruited watermelon during the growth period under grafting conditions,14 small-fruited watermelon germplasm resources were selected. The content of sucrose,fructose,and glucose were measured at 10,16,22,28 and 34 d after pollination. The results showed that:(1)Sucrose content varied with growth period among different watermelon resources. Early Red Jade accumulated sucrose rapidly at 28-34 d after pollination,while Sumeng No.5,Su meng No.6,and Sumeng No.7 increased at 16-34 d after pollination;(2)The accumulation trends of fructose differed among different resources. G31,G33,G35,G37,G38,G42,and Sumeng No.5 reached their peak at 28 d after pollination,while G48,Sumeng No.6,Sumeng No.7,Xiaolan,and Early Red Jade increased slowly from 22-34 d after pollination;(3)Glucose content varied among different resources. G48 and Early Red Jade had the highest glucose content at 22 d after pollination,while G33,G35,G37,G38,and G42 also showed an upward trend at 28 d after pollination,but the increase was relatively small;(4)The change trend of total sugar content also varied with different resources. G48,Early Red Jade,and BONBON increased rapidly at 22 d after pollination,while G31 had the highest total sugar content among all resources at 34 d after pollination;(5)Com-pared with their parents,the F1 generation showed complex genetic relationships in sugar accumulation patterns,usually exhibiting parental inheritance,and some resources showed mid-parent inheritance. This study revealed the sugar accumu-lation mechanism and genetic law of small-fruited watermelon under grafting conditions,providing a scientific basis for optimizing watermelon variety selection and grafting technology.