Specific nutrient absorption rates of transplanted cucumber seedlings are highly related to RGR and influenced by grafting method, AMF inoculation and salinity

The objective of this study was to assess the influence of different grafting methods and mycorrhizal inoculation of (salt-stressed) cucumber seedlings regarding plant establishment and nutrient absorption rates. Young cucumber (Cucumis sativus L) plants were grafted onto AMF-free, or AMF inoculated Cucurbita maxima × C. moschata transplants, by two grafting methods; common root intact, splice grafting (SG) and root-pruned splice grafting (RPSG). A similar number of self-rooted cucumber plants were kept as control. The results of this study indicate that the RPSG method offers advantages over the SG method, especially under saline conditions by improving the specific absorption rates (SAR). Improved growth rates of RPSG plants could be related to significantly higher SAR of certain elements such as N, P (under non-saline conditions) and N, Ca, K, Mg and Fe (under salt stress). High SAR of RPSG seedlings are suggested to be largely based on the young adventitious roots established after pruning. The inoculation with AMF enhanced the nutrient uptake and stand establishment rate of cucumber seedlings, especially in salt stressed grafted plants, through extending their root system and enhancing the photosynthetic rate. The study indicates how stand establishment rate and plant nutrition can be enhanced in commercial cucumber production by using cutting grafting (RPSG) and pre transplanting AMF inoculation on favourable grafting combinations.