Transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis of the effects of grafting stocks on the quality of greenhouse watermelon

YANG Wanbang; WANG Xiaoyuan; YU Rong; GUO Song; YUE Zhen; DU Huiying; TIAN Mei

doi:10.16861/j.cnki.zggc.2024.0804

Abstract：To clarify the effects of different types of rootstocks on the quality of watermelon cultivated in greenhouse and screen suitable rootstocks for watermelon cultivation in Ningxia facilities,Ningmei 2(NM2)watermelon was used as scion,and Ningzhen 2(pumpkin,NZ2),Qianggen(gourd,QG),Ningzhen 3(wild watermelon,NZ)as rootstocks,to in-vestigate post-grafting changes in watermelon quality.By combining transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses,the in-fluence of the three rootstock types on watermelon quality was compared.The results showed that different rootstock types significantly affected gene expression,physiological and biochemical properties,and fruit quality of watermelon cul-tivated in greenhouse.Among them,NZ2 grafting increased the central soluble solids content by 0.2 percentage points,and the vitamin C content by 2.7％.It also significantly influenced protein processing pathways,potentially enhancing quality by bolstering natural defense mechanisms.QG grafting had the most significant influence on gene expression and metabolite changes but resulted in slightly inferior fruit quality.NZ3 grafted watermelon exhibited the highest crude fiber content,65.79％higher than that of NM2.The application of transcriptomic and metabolomic techniques to study the changes of fruit quality after grafting provides a theoretical basis for scientific screening of rootstocks and improving the quality of grafted watermelon.Through comprehensive analysis,the pumpkin rootstock NZ2 was considered as a suitable rootstock variety.