Co-Authors:
Nerson, H., Department of Vegetable Crops, Agricultural Research Organization, Newe Ya'ar Research Center, P.O. Box 1021, Ramat Yishay 30095, Israel
Abstract:
In a field experiment, watermelons (cv. "Sugar Baby") were grown in the Newe Ya'ar Research Center (northern Israel). Fruits were harvested 21, 28, 35, 42 and 49 days past anthesis (DPA) and seeds were fermented or not fermented in the extraction procedure. After washing, the seeds were dried either in ambient air or at 40, 20 or 10°C, to form four replicates of 40 different seed lots. Germinability (percentage and rate of germination) was examined during 10 years of storage at 10°C and 45% RH. Seed maturity at harvest was the main factor determining seed quality. There were only small, non-significant differences in germinability among seeds harvested 35, 42 and 49 DPA, all of which were of higher quality than seeds which had been harvested 28 DPA. Immature seeds (21 DPA) had very poor germinability. Germinability of all seed lots increased during the first 0.5-5 years of storage. Mature seeds retained their high germinability till the end of the 10 years storage period, whereas the germinability of half-mature and immature seeds declined after 5-6 years of storage. Fermentation only improved the germination of half-mature and immature fresh seeds. Drying at low temperature (10°C) tended to decrease seed longevity. Removal of the seed coat after 6 or 12 months of storage significantly increased germination. Immature seeds absorbed more water during imbibition than mature seeds, and this may be a reason for their low germinability. © 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
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