Low temperatures (below 17°C) may inhibit muskmelon seed germination. Seed priming may overcome the inhibitory effect of low temperatures and increase germination and seedling establishment in the field. Muskmelon seeds were primed in KNO3 (0.35M) aerated solution for six days at 25°C. Water imbibition during seed priming and germination was determined. Higher germination in both temperatures was observed in primed seeds. Primed seeds absorbed more water and germinated faster than unprimed seeds.
Cucumis melo; osmotic conditioning; stand establishment
