Assessment of Growing Media and Fertigation for Production of Root Pruning Splice-Grafted Cucumber Seedlings

Abstract

In the Republic of Korea, the root pruning splice-grafting method is commonly used on watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) and cucumber (Cucumis sativus) seedlings to produce grafted plants. The growing medium is an important factor for rooting a transplant. In this study, we investigated the shoot growth and root development of cucumber seedlings in different growing media. 'Shindong' cucumber seedlings as scions were grafted onto 'Shingiwon' bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) seedlings as rootstocks using the root-pruning one-cotyledon splice-grafting method. The grafted seedlings were transplanted into five different media: commercial growing medium (CGM), rockwool (RW), LC grow foam (LC), RC grow foam (RC), and terra-plug (TP). We also investigated the effect of fertigation on plant growth in the different media. Root morphology was significantly influenced by all five media. The total root length, root volume, and root surface area were greatest in the CGM. However, inorganic media (RW, LC, and RC) resulted in low root growth. Fertigation increased root growth, especially in the CGM. Root growth affected the shoot growth of cucumber seedlings. The shoot growth of cucumber seedlings was greatest in the CGM and TP medium, which also had good root development. In conclusion, CGM with fertigation was advantageous for cucumber root development and growth, and TP showed promise for use as a growing medium in the seedling stage.