摘要：Grafting is becoming highly popular in vegetable growing. On the other hand, grafting process in fruits and vegetable production could lead to some changes in quality parameters. The objective of this study was to evaluate effects of grafting on three different rootstocks and harvesting time on some physical and chemical properties of two commercial watermelon cultivars. Results showed that there were statistically differences in some quality parameters of watermelon depends on grafting and harvesting time factors. Water soluble dry matter, total dry matter, total ash, total phenolic matter and lycopene contents were ranged between 8.00-9.60 °brix; 8.38-9.92%, 0.21-0.30%, 92.34-234.40 mg/kg, 55.78-82.58 mg/kg, respectively. The mineral content of the watermelon was 1.10-1.54% for potassium, 0.14-0.65% for magnesium, 0.16-0.23% for phosphorus, 0.08-0.18% for calcium, 16.96-25.54 mg/kg for iron, 2.41-3.69 mg/kg for zinc on dry matter base. As a result, grafted seedling using in watermelon production provided advantages for these mineral matters. And, second harvesting time samples were richer than first harvesting for the analyzed functional components.
