**3. Results and Discussion**

### *3.1. Plant Vegetative Growth*

The results of vegetative growth and survival rate of cucumber (Cucumis sativus) plants grafted on different cucurbitaceous rootstocks were observed after 15 and 30 days of grafting in two crop season 2017 and 2018. The leaf area, number of leaves and SPAD values after the first 15 days of grafting, during both crop seasons of 2017 and 2018, were observed in all combination of cucumber (Kalaam F1) scion and four local rootstocks; ridge gourd, bitter gourd, pumpkin and bottle gourd were presented in Figure 1. The mean leaf area (cm2) of cucumber cv. Kalaam F1 was found significantly maximum during both crop seasons 2017 and 2018 when grafted onto bottle gourd rootstock followed by ridge gourd, bitter gourd and pumpkin rootstock with the splice grafting (36.10, 37.65), single cotyledon grafting (32.40, 33.23), tongue grafting (28.23, 29.98) and hole insertion grafting (25.80, 26.13) respectively. The leaf area (21.43, 22.70) was found non-significant in non-grafting cucumber cv. Kalaam F1. The results observed in both seasons didn't show any significant difference. The plants with bottle gourd rootstocks showed significantly maximum five plant leaves in tongue grafting, splice grafting and single cotyledon grafting during both crop seasons. The real rooted plants produced four plant leaves while the lowest figures were associated with pumpkin rootstock. Figure 1 illustrates that the SPAD values (chlorophyll content) were found significantly different in all grafting techniques and non-grafted plants during the vegetative growth stage. The splice grafting technique gave optimum results of chlorophyll content than other grafting methods. The significantly different SPAD values (49.31, 46.6) were found in cucumber cv. Kalaam F1 grafted onto bottle gourd with splice grafting during 2017 and 2018 crop season respectively. The SPAD values in plant leaf of real rooted Kalaam F1 and pumpkin rootstock in hole insertion grafting method were statistically non-significant.

**Figure 1.** Evaluating the effect of Scion/rootstocks combinations (grafting) on vegetative growth of Cucumber fruit after 15 days during crop season 2017 and 2018.

After 30 days, the bottle gourd rootstock in splice grafting showed significantly higher mean leaf area (82.40, 85.28 cm2), number of leaves (8, 8) and SPAD contents (49.31, 56.22) during both crop season 2017 and 2018 respectively as shown in Figure 2. The real rooted cucumber didn't show significant difference of leaf area (40.95, 44.65 cm2), number of leaves (7, 7) and SPAD value (39.98, 42.8) during crop season of 2017 and 2018 while the rootstocks in hole insertion grafting showed non-significant results. It could be found that the SPAD values and chlorophyll content have a strong correlation [42] and the combinations of scion/rootstocks had significantly affected the vegetative growth of cucumber [52].

**Figure 2.** Evaluating the effect of Scion/rootstocks combinations (grafting) on vegetative growth of Cucumber fruit after 30 days during crop season 2017 and 2018.

Table 2 indicates plant mortality and the percentage of plant survival in the real rooted and grafted treatment of hybrid cucumber cv. Kalaam F1 grafted on four local cucurbitaceous rootstocks (ridge gourd, bitter gourd, pumpkin and bottle gourd) with different grafting techniques during the 2017 and 2018 crop growing seasons. The statistical analysis presented in Table 2 shows that pumpkin rootstock in the hole insertion grafting method had a lower plant survival (42.00 ± 0.81 and 44.00 ± 1.29) in the 2017 and 2018 seasons respectively. These results showed unsuitability of hybrid Kalam F1 with local rootstock. The significantly maximum plant survival rate of (96.00 ± 2.77) was obtained when grafted plants onto bottle gourd (T4) in splice grafting during the first crop season, while in the second crop season bottle gourd (T4) and ridge gourd (T1) showed the same (95.00 ± 0.55) survival rates of grafted plants. Ridge gourd (T1) and bitter gourd (T2) in tongue grafting (G1) and real rooted Kalaam, F1 (Tc) didn't show any significant difference during first growing season while, in second crop season ridge gourd (T1) and bottle gourd (T4) in tongue grafting (G1) and non-grafted Kalaam, F1 (Tc) didn't show any significant difference in cucumber plants survival. The rootstocks under single cotyledon grafting method show significantly different results for plants survival. These results agreed with [53] who reported that the survival rate of cucumber plants increased under different grafting techniques.

The shoot length, plant height and stem diameter of cucumber (Cucumis sativus) plants grafted onto four local cucurbitaceous rootstocks with different grafting methods were presented in Figure 3. The bottle gourd rootstock had significant shoot length (cm) in tongue grafting (13.50, 13.30), splice grafting (12.20, 12.10) and single cotyledon grafting (11.34, 11.28) after first 15 days of grafting during 2017 and 2018 respectively while the hole insertion grafting showed non-significant results (4.15, 4.1) onto ridge gourd. The real rooted plant has (9.0, 9.20) shoot lengths. The plants with bottle gourd rootstock developed a significantly thick plant stem (0.19, 0.18 cm) in splice grafting and didn't show any significant difference of stem diameter during season 2017 and 2018 respectively. The real rooted hybrid cucumber had (0.15 and 0.16 cm) stem diameter after first 15 days of 2017 and 2018 seasons. In tongue grafting and single cotyledon grafting, the bottle gourd showed significant plant height (15.34, 15.50 cm), (16.10, 15.73 cm) while the pumpkin rootstock in hole insertion grafting had non-significant (6.55, 6.49 cm) plant height during 2017 and 2018 respectively.



**Figure 3.** Effect of Scion/rootstocks combinations (grafting) on vegetative growth parameters of Cucumber fruit after 15 days during crop season 2017 and 2018.

Figure 4 presents shoot length, plant height and stem diameter of grafted cucumber (*Cucumis sativus*) plants onto cucurbitaceous rootstocks during the crop seasons of 2017 and 2018. After 30 days of grafting, The bottle gourd and ridge gourd rootstocks in splice grafting showed significant shoot length (21.90, 21.80 cm) and (20.98, 21.10 cm) while the hole insertion grafting showed non-significant results (9.10, 8.67 cm) onto pumpkin rootstock after 30 days of grafting during 2017 and 2018 respectively. The non-grafted plants didn't show any significant difference. The plants with bottle gourd rootstock developed significantly thick plant stems (0.37, 0.38 cm) in splice grafting. The bottle gourd in tongue grafting, ridge gourd and bitter gourd in splice grafting, bottle gourd in single cotyledon grafting and real rooted plants didn't show any significant difference of stem diameter during the seasons 2017 and 2018. The pumpkin rootstock in hole insertion grafting had (0.15 and 0.16 cm) non-significant stem diameter after 30 days of grafting during both 2017 and 2018 crop seasons. In splice grafting and single cotyledon grafting, the bottle gourd showed significant plant height (24.65, 24.50 cm), (24.0, 23.63 cm). The bottle gourd rootstock in tongue grafting, ridge gourd in splice grafting, bottle gourd in single cotyledon and real rooted plants didn't show any significant change of plant height while the rest of the rootstocks showed non-significant plant height during 2017 and 2018 respectively.

The data in Table 3 indicate that the scion/rootstock combinations (grafting) promoted cucumber plant growth and significantly increased the vigor of grafts plants compared to real rooted hybrid cucumber during both 2017 and 2018 crop periods. That was shown in plant height (cm), number of plant branches & leaves, stem thickness/diameter (cm), flowering time (days) and first fruit harvesting time (days). Grafting cucumber cv. Kalaam F1 on cucurbitaceous rootstock (Bottle gourd) produced significantly maximum plant height, stem diameter and No. of leaves & nodes than rootstocks (Ridge gourd, Bitter gourd and Pumpkin). The sequence found between the grafting techniques was splice grafting, tongue grafting, single cotyledon grafting and hole insertion grafting. The splice grafting showed significantly maximum plant heights (622.0 ± 4.06 and 619.0 ± 4.58 cm), number of leaves (194.0 ± 6.32 and 183.0 ± 4.62), number of branches (13.00 ± 0.40 and 13.00 ± 0.58) and stem diameter (1.13 ± 0.03 and 1.10 ± 0.03 cm) for Lagenaria siceraria (bottle gourd) during crop season 2017 and 2018 respectively while, the lowest values were associated with pumpkin rootstock. Ridge gourd (T1) and bitter gourd (T2) in tongue grafting (G1) & single Cotyledon grafting (G3), ridge gourd (T1) and bottle gourd (T4) in hole insertion grafting (G4) and real rooted Kalaam, F1 (Tc) didn't show any significant difference in plant height during first season while, in the second season most of the rootstocks didn't show any significant difference. Bitter gourd (T2) pumpkin (T3) bottle gourd (T4) in hole Insertion grafting (G4) showed maximum time for flowering during both 2017 and 2018 crop seasons respectively. Fruit harvesting time didn't show any significant difference for all grafting technique under both crop seasons. This could be interpreted that cultivation of grafted cucumber produced better plant vegetative growth compared with non-grafted plants in infested soil with nematode and soil salinity. The results are in line with [54] who described that vegetative growth (plant height, branches and leaves) was significantly higher in grafting than that of non-grafting. Hormone synthesis controlled by plant root could lead the plant growth and root to shoot ratios [55]. Zhang [56] stated that the vegetative growth (plant height, leaves, branches, leaf area and stem diameter), photosynthesis rate, yield, wilt resistance and root-knot nematode immunity were higher in scion/rootstock combination plants. The statistical analysis presented in Table 3 indicate the earliness of first female flower on grafted plants.

**Figure 4.** Effect of Scion/rootstocks combinations (grafting) on vegetative growth parameters of Cucumber fruit after 30 days during crop season 2017 and 2018.

The *Lagenaria siceraria*, *Lu*ff*a operculata* and *Momordica charantia* started flowering at 33rd day while pumpkin started on 34th day in splice grafting technique as shown in Table 3. The significantly different 62 days were taken by the plants for flowering in hole insertion grafting method. The non-grafted cucumber cv. Kalaam F1 showed flowers after 60 days. Therefore, splice grafted plants showed early and high vigor compared with other grafts and non-grafted plants. The first fruit harvested after 12 days of flowering. The harvesting was carried out at the same time from all kind of grafted plants.

Ozarslandan [57] observed that all genotypes of *Lagenaria siceraria* (Bottle gourd) were liable to root-knot nematodes. The grafting of scion (Watermelon) onto rootstock (Bottle gourd) gave higher plant growth and fruit yield as compared to non-grafted fruit root-knot nematodes carry soil. It was concluded that bottle gourd rootstock tolerated nematodes with their rapid growth. In this study, splice grafted plants using all scion/rootstock combinations had significantly higher vegetative growth and fruit yield. According to our results, Lee [5] and Ioannou [58] observed that growth of scion/rootstocks were better than that of real rooted plants.

Cansev and Ozgur [42] described that, generally the growth and yield reduced significantly in real rooted (non-grafted) plants as compared with grafting techniques used for scion/rootstock combinations. The results suggested grafting of cucurbitaceous plants avoid yield reduction due to intensive cropping and soil borne disease. Cucumber grafting onto resistant rootstock was recommended technique in soil with high root-knot nematodes infestation and to produce more fruit yield from grafted plants [59].



**Table**

Means sharing same letters in a column are statistically

non-significant

 (*<sup>p</sup>* > 0.05).

#### *Agronomy* **2019**, *9*, 288

The maximum early yield was produced by grafted plants rather than non-grafted plants [60]. Walters and Wehner [61] declared that root-knot nematodes were a major reason of cucumber yield reduction. Zhang [56] observed that grafted cucumber plants onto resistant rootstocks showed earlier flowering and first harvesting time than those of other rootstock and non-grafted plants.

Chen [62] reported that grafted cucumber onto local and resistant rootstocks had higher yields, better quality and a good control on soil pathogenic characteristics. The yield was significantly reduced cucumber fruit yield grown in non-treated soil compared to treated soil [46].

The damage of root-knot nematodes was highest in warm areas which resulted wilting plants under moisture stress [60]. These results agreed with Miguel and Maroto [63], they reported maximum yield in hybrid watermelon grafting and nematodes infested soil than self-rooted planed in fumigated (nematicide) soils. The local and resistant rootstock had enhanced the plant growth, flowering and yield of cucumber fruit [59]. The use of resistant cucurbitaceous rootstocks could increase the cucumber plant growth and fruit yield while the fruit quality was not different [64]. The grafted plants have no significant effect on fruit dry matter but improved nutritional concentration [65].

#### *3.2. Fruit Growth and Quality*

The effect of four different Scion/rootstocks combinations (grafting) on cucumber fruit, fruit fresh weight, fruit shape index, TSS and fruit dry matter was presented in Table 4. The splice grafting showed significantly maximum number of fruit per plant (14.60 ± 0.20 and 15.60 ± 0.38), Fruit weight/cucumber (122.50 ± 2.42 and 121.29 ± 3.05 g), Fruit shape index (7.88 ± 0.22 and 7.84 ± 0.10), TSS (5.20 ± 0.11 and 5.11 ± 0.15%) and Fruit dry matter (4.62 ± 0.11 and 4.50 ± 0.12%) for *Lagenaria siceraria* (bottle gourd) during crop season 2017 and 2018 respectively while, the lowest values were associated with pumpkin rootstock. Ridge gourd (T1) and bottle gourd (T4) in tongue grafting (G1), single Cotyledon grafting (G3) and hole Insertion grafting (G4) while ridge gourd (T1) and bitter gourd (T2) in splice grafting (G2) didn't show any significant difference in number of fruits/plants. The real rooted cucumber showed significant different (10.30 ± 0.23) number of fruits per plant during both seasons. This could be concluded that grafting hybrid cucumber onto local rootstocks gave significant increment in fruit length and diameter (fruit shape index) which results in more fruit yield. These results agreed with Al-Debei [43] who observed that when grafted cucumber cultivar on cucurbitaceous rootstock resulted in more vigorous cucumber plants. Ridge gourd (T1), bitter gourd (T2) and pumpkin (T3) in tongue grafting (G1), pumpkin (T3) in splice grafting (G2), ridge gourd (T1), bottle gourd (T4) in single cotyledon grafting (G3), bitter gourd (T2) in hole insertion grafting (G4) and Kalaam, F1 (Tc) in non-grafting (Gn) didn't show any significant difference in fruit weight during first season while in second season bottle gourd (T4) in all grafting techniques showed significantly different results. The Kalaam, F1 (Tc) also showed significant results for fruit weight.



Means sharing same letters in a column are statistically

non-significant

 (*<sup>p</sup>* > 0.05).

The results of fruit dry matter obtained from ridge gourd (T1), bitter gourd (T2) and pumpkin (T3) in tongue grafting (G1) and splice grafting (G2), ridge gourd (T1) and bottle gourd (T4) in single cotyledon grafting (G3), bitter gourd (T2) in hole insertion grafting (G4) and real rooted Kalaam, F1 (Tc) during first crop season 2017 were not statistically different. During second season, all rootstocks in splice grafting and real rooted Kalaam, F1 didn't show any significant difference. These results are in line with Yetistir and Sari [66] who reported that grafted cucumber fruit with higher fruit fresh weight and dry matter had more nutritional concentration compared with low fresh weight cucumber fruit. Grafting of cucumber scion onto bottle gourd rootstock can enhance the reduction of cucumber fruit dry matter [67]. Ridge gourd (T1) in tongue grafting (G1), bitter gourd (T2) in splice grafting (G2) didn't show any significant difference. Bottle gourd (T4) in tongue grafting (G1) and single cotyledon grafting (G3) similarly pumpkin (T3) in tongue grafting (G1) and ridge gourd (T1) in hole insertion grafting (G4) didn't show any significant difference for TSS in fruit juice during first crop season while in the second season, ridge gourd (T1) in tongue grafting (G1) and splice grafting (G2) and bottle gourd (T4) in single cotyledon grafting (G3) and hole insertion grafting (G4) didn't show any significant TSS contents but real rooted plants showed statistically significant TSS [54]. During first crop season bottle gourd (T4) and ridge gourd (T1) in splice grafting (G2) didn't show any significant difference. The real rooted plants showed statistically different results in season 2018 but not in 2017.

Plant hormones regulate plant vegetative growth and reproductive development and are responsible for built root-shoot communication [68]. Plant with healthy rootstock produce more cytokinins into rising xylem sap which enhanced fruit yield [68]. The grafting changed hormones production and their impact on grafted plants. Flowering are controlled by plant hormones. It could be concluded that grafting increased the fruit yield since grafted plants have strong root system which improved disease immunity and photosynthesis. The plant growth of grafted cucumber and the resemblance of protective isozymes between grafted and non-grafted plants had a positive correlation [69].

The Table 5 indicated the effect of scion (cucumber cv. Kalaam F1) grafted onto four local rootstocks (ridge gourd, bitter gourd, pumpkin and bottle gourd) with different grafting techniques on quality of cucumber fruit. The fruit quality was evaluated at 3, 6 and 9 days after pollination. It is clear from the Table that the contents of ascorbic acid in fruit decreased significantly with the fruit growth. The ascorbic acid, soluble protein and free amino acid decreased with periodically while soluble sugar content increased. The contents of ascorbic acid in cucumber cv. Kalaam F1 fruit were higher initial days and then decrease gradually. Bottle gourd gave statistically significant results while the pumpkin showed lowest values. The ridge gourd, bitter gourd and real rooted plants didn't show any significant difference during both seasons. The cucumber cv. Kalaam F1 fruit grafted onto bottle gourd had statistically significant soluble protein content during first and second seasons while pumpkin rootstock showed least values. The statistical difference was not found in other rootstocks. Free amino acid and soluble sugar didn't show any significant difference in all rootstocks during both seasons.


 **5.** Effect of Scion/rootstocks combinations (grafting) on Cucumber fruit quality.

**Table**

#### *Agronomy* **2019** , *9*, 288

The Table 6 indicated the mineral composition of scion/rootstock combinations (grafts) and non-grafted cucumber cv. Kalaam F1. Fruit N, P, K, Ca and Mg of hybrid cucumber grafted onto bottle gourd were significantly more among other rootstock and self-rooted cucumber fruits. The lowest values were associated with pumpkin rootstock. Scion/rootstock enhanced mineral circulation in plants. The contents of Potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg) in grafted fruits were statistically significant as compared to non-grafted fruits which was based on vigorous rootstock development responsible for absorbing water and nutrients effectively than other real roots [5]. The bottle gourd rootstock showed significantly maximum N, P, K, Ca and Mg contents during both crop seasons. Bitter gourd (T2) and Kalaam, F1 (Tc) didn't show any significantly difference during first season while, during second season all rootstocks had statistically different nitrogen contents. Ridge and bottle gourd didn't show any significant difference of phosphorus content during 2017 while results were statistically different for all rootstock in second season. Statistically no different results of K, Ca and Mg were found between both seasons. Although the scion/rootstock combinations determine fruit quality and nutritional contents, there was a significant influence of grafting found on fruit quality as compared to the original rooted plants. Therefore, the cucumber cv. Kalaam F1 grafted on four local root stocks (ridge gourd, bitter gourd, pumpkin and bottle gourd) have an improved mineral composition that can be used for commercial production.

Salehi-Muhammadi [70] described how the impact of rootstock on mineral composition depended upon the development of root genotypes which improved water and mineral transfer. The low performance of other rootstocks and non-grafted plants compared to the bottle gourd rootstock were justified by unsuitable grafting, which can cause improper scion growth or depression and mineral transfer from the union of grafting [42,71,72]. Several studies have been conducted to explain that effect in scion due to grafting techniques and the transport of genes from the local root system and hybrid scion through vascular bundles [73–75]. The rate of mineral transfer was higher in bottle gourd than other grafted and non-grafted plants, and tolerated a high crop load [76].

The fresh weight, length and diameter of cucumber fruit grafted on different cucurbitaceous rootstocks were presented in Figure 5. The observation carried out at the time of harvesting didn't show any significant difference in fruit weight, fruit length and fruit diameter during both crop seasons 2017 and 2018. The splice grafting of cucurbitaceous rootstock with hybrid cucumber fruit showed significantly maximum physical properties of cucumber fruit. The splice grafting showed significant fresh fruit weight (g) in bottle gourd (280.50 ± 3.39 and 277.00 ± 5.32), ridge gourd (252.00 ± 4.29 and 265.00 ± 7.31), bitter gourd (243.00 ± 3.34 and 252.00 ± 5.33) and pumpkin (227.00 ± 5.43 and 234.00 ± 1.68). All rootstocks showed significantly different fruit fresh weight during 2017 and 2018. The fruit length of cucumber showed statistically different results. Ridge gourd in tongue grafting and single cotyledon grafting while bitter gourd and pumpkin and ridge gourd and bottle gourd in splice grafting didn't show significant difference during first season but in second season the complete results obtained were statistically different. The fruit diameter was not statistically different during the first season but in the second season the results of fruit diameter were statistically different.



**Figure 5.** Effect of scion/rootstocks combinations (grafting) on physical properties of Cucumber fruit.

The effect of grafting cucumber cv. Kalaam F1 onto local rootstocks on daily mean fresh weight of fruit, average length and average diameter of cucumber fruit during crop seasons 2017 and 2018 is presented in Figures 6–8. Figure 6 illustrates that after 4 days of pollination, the mean weight of fruit was increased significantly as shown in the Figure 6A–D. The fresh fruit weights (g) of all scion/rootstock combination in splice grafting were found significantly maximum than other grafted and real rooted cucumber plants during both 2017 and 2018 crop seasons. At day 9 after pollination, the fresh weight of splice grafting was (270 g) statistically significant for bottle gourd while the ridge gourd and bitter gourd (261 g and 24 7g) didn't show significant differences in fruit fresh weight. The pumpkin rootstock and real rooted cucumber cv. Kalaam F1 had non-significant fruit fresh weight 161 and 138.25 grams. During both 2017 and 2018 crop seasons length of cucumber fruit (cm) improved significantly after pollination while from 3–8 days showed maximum fruit length in all scion/rootstock combinations as shown in Figure 7A–D. The fruit lengths in splice grafting were significantly longer as compared to that in other grafting and non-grafting methods. After 9 days of pollination for two years, bottle gourd had significantly higher length of cucumber while ridge gourd and bitter gourd didn't show significant differences of fruit length. The pumpkin and real rooted plants had non-significant mean fruit length. The diameter of cucumber fruit (cm) didn't increased significantly from day 1–3 and enhanced significantly from day 3–9 after pollination as shown in Figure 8A–D. Grafted plants had a significantly larger diameter of cucumber fruit while real rooted plants showed non-significant fruit diameter. After day 9 the diameter of cucumber plants in splice grafting were significantly higher 3.5, 3.3, 3.4 and 3.7 cm. The diameter of non-grafted cucumber fruit (3.1 cm) didn't show significant difference while the non-significant diameters of cucumber fruits were found 2.7, 2.6, 2.7 and 2.7 cm in hole insertion grafting of ridge gourd, bitter gourd, pumpkin and bottle gourd respectively. It could be concluded that the grafted plants had significantly higher weight, length and diameter of fresh fruit than those of fresh fruit in non-grafting. The results agreed with studies on citrus [77], grapes [78], lemon [79], mango [80] and melon [81] grafted on appropriate rootstocks.

**Figure 6.** (**A**–**D**). Effect of scion/rootstocks combinations (grafting) on fresh weight of Cucumber fruit.

**Figure 7.** (**A**–**D**). Effect of grafting on Cucumber fruit development (fruit length) after pollination.

**Figure 8.** (**A**–**D**). Effect of grafting on Cucumber fruit development (fruit diameter) after pollination.

#### **4. Conclusions**

The pathological and soil-borne diseases particularly root-knot nematode represent major constraints for good seed germination, plant survival and growth, fruit development and fruit quality in cucumber production. There is no cucumber hybrid variety tolerant to nematode while fumigation of nematicides are expensive and can damage a sustainable agriculture system. Therefore, grafting is a real agricultural practice to control disease, and to improve cucumber production and quality in a suitable growing environment. The optimum plant vegetative growth, yield and fruit quality are based on both shoot and root genotypes. This study aimed to select and evaluate the resistant and tolerant scion/rootstock combination. The scion of hybrid cucumber cv. Kalaam F1 and four local cucurbitaceous rootstocks were combined through tongue grafting (TAG), splice grafting, single cotyledon grafting and hole insertion grafting during 2017 and 2018. All scion/rootstocks combinations showed significantly maximum results in splice grafting than other grafting and non-grafted (self-rooted) plants. The hybrid cucumber cv. Kalaam F1 grafted on bottle gourd rootstock gave significantly highest survival rate, plant vegetative growth, yield, fruit quality and resistance against soil-borne disease in splice grafting method followed by tongue approach, single cotyledon and hole insertion grafting. The non-significant values were associated with hole insertion grafting method in all scion/rootstock combinations. Grafting had no effect on cucumber fruit matter and fruit quality but fruit mineral composition (N, P, K, Ca and Mg) was improved significantly. Thus, grafting hybrid cucumber onto local rootstocks improved the growth, yield and quality of fruit, as well as the development of immunity to disease. The studies suggested that grafting of hybrid cucumber cv. Kalaam F1 on local rootstocks grow well in infested soil to control soil-borne disease and to enhance cucumber production.

**Author Contributions:** Conceptualization, Design and Development, R.S.N.; Data collection, R.S.N., W.A. and M.I.; Formal Analysis, R.S.N., M.U.K. and M.A.; Investigation and Methodology, R.S.N., S.-U.R. and Z.W.; Supervision, M.U. and Y.S.; Visualization, R.S.N. and M.U.; Writing—original draft, R.S.N.; Writing review, Y.S., M.Y. and M.U.K.; Write-up editing, R.S.N.

**Funding:** This research received no external funding.

**Acknowledgments:** The authors would like to acknowledge to all the services and technical support of Horticultural research station, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Technology PMAS-Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi and Department of Agriculture, Biological, Environment and Energy Engineering, College of Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin provided during research work setting, instrumentation, data collection and write-up compilation.

**Conflicts of Interest:** The authors declared no conflict of interest.
