In cucurbits, however, interspecific
grafting is common. Most of the watermelons grown in the
Mediterranean basin, including Israel, are grafted mainly on Cucurbita
rootstocks (F1 hybrids of Cucurbita moschata Duchesne
×
C.
maxima Duchesne). Grafting watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.)
Matsum.&Nakai] on Cucurbita rootstock provides non-specific but
efficient protection against a wide range of soilborne pathogens
and some abiotic stresses