Watermelon response in terms of quality and yield was consistent across locations, with no differences in early harvest metrics among rootstocks. Hybrid squash rootstocks slightly increased fruit weight in the main harvest. Grafted plants produced firmer fruit, beneficial for the fresh cut market, without adverse effects on other fruit qualities. These results support grafting for improved firmness, though no increase in melon number or total weight was observed. Further multi-year, multi-location studies are proposed to verify findings.
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