Abstract
To enhance the smooth graft-taking of grafted seedlings, the excessive evapotranspiration from grafted seedlings just after grafting should be avoided. A measurement system of the evapotranspiration rate of grafted seedling under artificial lighting was set up to investigate the effect of physical environment on the evapotranspiration and graft-taking characteristics of grafted seedlings quantitatively. The evapotranspiration rate of grafted seedlings affected by relative humidity and light intensity were analyzed using the measurement system. The hypocotyl of watermelons (Citrullus vulgaris cv. Sweetdew, Hungnong Seed Co.) was slantly cut and then inserted into a hole on the stem of rootstock (Lagenaria siceraria cv. FR-King, Hungnong Seed Co.). Grafted seedlings were healed and joined for 5 days under cool-white fluorescent lamps (FL20SEX-d/18, Keumho Electric Co.) with photoperiod of 12h$.$d$\^$-1/ except dark period for one day after grafting in a closed graft-taking enhancement system developed by Kim(2000). The evapotranspiration rate and graft-taking of grafted seedling at air temperature of 23$\^{C}$ and air current speed of 0.1m$.$s$\^$-1/ was highly affected by relative humidity. But light intensity showed higher effect on the stem length of scion than relative humidity. In conclusion, it was suggested that relative humidity should be controlled at higher than 90% with photosynthetic photon flux of 50$\mu$mol$.$m$^2$$.$s$\^$-1/ to increase the survival of grafted seedlings and to produce healthy seedlings.
