Treatment with hydrogen peroxide and seedcoat removal or clipping improve germination of 'Genesis' triploid watermelon

Seeds of triploid watermelons [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum & Nakai] o ften germinate poorly, which prevents adequate stand establishment In both field and greenhouse environments, Methods of improving germination and eme rgence of these expensive seeds would reduce overall risk to growers, thus increasing,the crop's market prominence. Seeds of 'Genesis' triploid waterm elon were subjected to three treatments: 1) seedcoat removal; 2) clipping t he seedcoat opposite the radicle end; or 3) no seedcoat alteration; and wer e germinated on agar in the presence of a 0%, 1%, 2%, 4%, or 8% aqueous H2O 2 at constant 28 degrees C in the dark. Seedcoat removal, clipping, and all levels of H2O2 increased final germination percentages relative to the con trol (no seedcoat alteration, no H2O2) by as much as 70%. Hydrogen peroxide levels >2% resulted in severe injury to germinating seeds, These findings suggest that germination barriers of triploid watermelon are seedcoat relat ed, and that seedcoat alteration and H2O2,can overcome these barriers.