Effects of bitter apple and Shintosa rootstocks on phenotypic and physiological ‎properties of Citrullus lunatusc cv. Crimson Sweet under water deficit irrigation in ‎field condition

Water shortage is one of important factors limiting yield and production of some crops in arid and semi-arid areas like Iran. Grafting crops on resistance rootstock can respond better to water shortage. In order to this object response of Citrullus lunatus cv. Crimson Sweet grafted on bitter apple and Shintosa rootstocks under water deficit conditions were studied. This experiment performed as split plot in randomized complete block design with four irrigation regime, 100, 80, 60 and 40 % of available water as main plot and grafting on bitter apple (Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad) and Shintosa (Cucurbita maxima Duch. × Cucurbita moschata Duch.) as sub plot with three replications. Based on the results, some traits such as fruit firmness, total soluble solids, total yield, root length, number of roots, flavonoids contents, antioxidant capacity and total phenolic compounds increased significantly in plants grafted on bitter apple rootstock comoare to other plants, under water deficiency. According to results, bitter apple could be suggested as suitable rootstock under low irrigation conditions, maintaining acceptable yield and fruit quality attributes compare to Shintosa.