Scion organ removal alters hormone levels and gene expression associated with adventitious root development in grafted watermelon seedlings.

ABSTRACT: Adventitious roots (ARs) are crucial for grafted watermelon seedlings, playing vital roles in nutrient absorption, stress resistance, and grafting efficacy. However, the way in which scions regulate endogenous hormones to influence AR formation remains poorly understood. In this study, we constructed watermelon seedlings (WP) using "HXX" as the scion and "Tie Zhen No. 3" as the rootstock. Scion cotyledons removal (WP-1) significantly promoted AR development. In contrast, true leaf removal (WP-2) had minimal effect, while simultaneous removal of both (WP-3) elicited intermediate responses. Endogenous hormone dynamics showed that WP-1 maintained progressively increasing indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) with lower abscisic acid (ABA) and jasmonic acid (JA) levels, whereas both WP-2 and WP-3 exhibit

SUBMITTER: Song C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12439556 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature