Techniques for Separating Tetraploid and Triploid Watermelon Seed and Effects of Some Priming Treatments on Germinaiton

Abstract

Seeds of the commercial cultivar for seedless watermelons, TriX313, were separated into groups based on thickness in one experiment and on weight in another. Number of triploids and tetraploids were recorded for each category. There were no significant differences in ploidy levels based on either weight or seed thickness. Seeds from this same cultivar were treated with priming solutions of polyethylene glycol (PEG 8000), KNO3, and distilled water for three lengths of time (1,3, or 6 days). The seed was subsequently air-dried for 1 or 7 days and then tested for germination and emergence.