Germination and the initial height of cucumber (Cucumis sativus), water-melon (Citrulius lanatus), melon (Cucumis melo) and gourd (Cucurbita pepo) seedling were evaluated when submitted to a standard germination test, in rolled paper towels moistened with volumes of water equivalent to 1.0; 1.5; 2.0; 2.5; 3.0 and 3.5 times the weight of the substrate. It was observed that, the moisture grades that proportionates the better germination percentages for cucumber and water-melon are 2.0 and 2.5 times the weight of the substrate. For melon the better germination results are obtained with the moisture of 2.0 to 3.0 times the weight of the substrate. Whereas for the gourd the amount of water is more than these, due to the greater weight of its seeds. Increasing the amount of water in the substrate produce increases on height of the aerial parts of the Cucurbitaceae. But root length may to have variable reductions according the species studied, when moisture is above the level considered as ideal.
Germination of seedling; substrate moistened; Cucurbitaceae
