Year: 1986
Type: article
Abstract: Three cucumber ( Cucumis sativus L.) populations were evaluated to determine the effects of several seed harvesting and handling procedures on seed quality. Fruit maturity at seed harvest, fermentation duration in seed extraction, seed storage time, and germination temperature all significantly influenced germination percentage and rate. About 30% of the observed variation in germination percentage was due to interactions between handling factors rather than to main effects of factors. Although germination in excess of 90% was observed for some combinations of factors with as little as 28 days of fruit maturity (post-pollination), the advantages of greater seed maturity at harvest were evident for rate of germination and tolerance to long fermentation times. Positive responses to short fermentation durations (≤4 days) occasionally were observed, but longer fermentation durations were markedly deleterious under some conditions. Six months of seed storage were effective in improving germination of seed at 15° and 20°C, but had little effect on germination at 25°. The 3 cucumber populations were markedly different in response to some seed handling factors.
Authors: M.D. Edwards, R.L. Lower, J.E. Staub
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,500
OpenAlex ID: W2499075471