ISSN 1226-8763

Korean J. Hortic. Sci. Technol. 33(6):932-940, 2015 http://dx.doi.org/10.7235/hort.2015.14193

Research Report

Enhancement of Seed Germination and Uniformity in Triploid

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. and Nakai)
1 1† 1 1 1 1
Phanna Phat , Sameena Sheikh , Jeong Hyeon Lim , Tae Bok Kim , Mun Ho Seong , Hyong Gwon Chon ,
Yong Kyu Shin2, Young Ju Song3, and Jaejong Noh3*
1
Watermelon Experiment Station, Jeollabuk-do A.R.E.S., Gochang 585-863, Korea,
2
Fruit Vegetables Research Institute, Jeonbuk A.R.E.S., Gunsan 573-913, Korea
3
Jeollabuk-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services, Iksan 570-140, Korea

Abstract: One of the main factors restricting production of triploid seedless watermelon is poor germination due to weak embryos,
thick seed coats, and larger air spaces. This study was carried out to investigate the priming effects of different concentrations
of chemicals, including hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), fusicoccin, and gibberellic acid (GA) on germination and seedling uniformity
of triploid watermelon (Citrullus lanatus). Three commercial triploid cultivars, Seedless Plus, Sinus, and Sizero, were pretreated
with water and different levels of H2O2 (2 and 4%), fusicoccin (FC: 1, 5, and 10 µM), and GA (1, 5, and 10 µM). The present
findings helped to find optimal priming conditions for improving germination of triploid watermelon. Treatment with 5 µM
GA and hydropriming helped to break seed dormancy, enhancing the final germination percentages in all triploid cultivars and
increasing the germination index in Sizero. These seed-priming treatments could be used on large scale for industrial applications.
Moreover, hydropriming provides a simple, effective, and costless method to improve seed germination and seedling vigor of
Sinus and Sizero varieties.
Additional key words: germination index, germination rate, priming, triploid, uniformity

Introduction first developed in Japan in the early 1950s (Kihara, 1951).

Seed germination is a crucial factor for commercial agri-
culture and substantial work has examined the conditions
required for optimal germination. In the early 1950s,
optimal soil temperatures for diploid seed germination
were established in the range of 21-35°C (Harrington and
Minges, 1954). Since then, new hybrid cultivars have replaced
open-pollinated cultivars and new cultivars were found to
respond to different temperature ranges. For proper seed
germination, growth, and development, diploid watermelon
requires warmer than 26°C (Whitaker and Davis, 1962),
but triploid seeds originating from tetraploid ovaries require
24-38°C for 24-72 h. Triploid seedless watermelon was
Triploid seedless watermelon has been becoming popular
over the last two decades due to its crisp and sweet taste
without the hard seeds of standard watermelon (Egel, 1999;
Marr and Gast, 1991). Triploids result from breeding between
a tetraploid watermelon, as the female parent, and a diploid
watermelon, as the male parent. Triploid watermelon does
not produce sufficient pollen for fertilization; thus the
production of triploid seedless fruits requires a diploid
plant for pollen (Maynard and Elmstrom, 1992; Zhang,
2004).
Watermelon growers face various problems in obtaining
good seed germination, as triploid seeds have low germination
due to the thicker seed coat, underdeveloped embryos,

*Corresponding author: nohjj@korea.kr

†
These authors contributed equally to this work.
※ Received 26 November 2014; Revised 3 September 2015; Accepted 24 September 2015. This work was supported by a grant from JBARES,
IPET, and RDA. We gratefully acknowledge the help of technical staff members at Watermelon Experiment Station to successfully conduct
this experiment.
Ⓒ 2015 Korean Society for Horticultural Science
 Phanna Phat, Sameena Sheikh, Jeong Hyeon Lim, Tae Bok Kim, Mun Ho Seong, Hyong Gwon Jeon, Yong Kyu Shin, Young Ju Song, and Jaejong Noh 933
and larger air space cavities compared with diploids (Duval
and NeSmith, 2000; Grange et al., 2000, 2003). Triploid
seed germination is generally low, at 60-80% compared
to up to 95% in diploid (Liu et al., 2010; Nerson et al.,
1985). Heavy seeds germinate better because of higher seed
coat tissue compared to light-weight seeds in triploids (Yang
and Sung, 1994). Methods such as nicking, scarification
and lateral splitting of seed coat enhance the germination
rate in triploid, but also can injure the embryo (Duval
and Nesmith, 1998; Grange et al., 2000). Hence, there is
a need to explore more efficient and reliable methods to
enhance seed germination rate and seedling establishment,
as normal germination methods no longer produce good
results, especially in tetraploids and triploids.
Seed priming has been reported to enhance seed germi-
nation performance of various field crops (Eskandari, 2013;
Shehzad et al., 2012). Various seed priming methods can
improve germination; these methods include hydropriming
(Huang et al., 2002; Moghanibashi et al., 2012), which
improves germination by partially hydrating seeds, although
radicle emergence does not occur. Other priming methods
include halopriming (Siadat et al., 2011), osmopriming (Chen
et al., 2010; Esmaelli and Heidarzade, 2012; Farooq et
al., 2005, 2007; Rezaei and Ramezani, 2012; Rouhi et al.,
2011), thermopriming (Yari et al., 2012), solid matrix
priming (Mereddy et al., 2000), and biopriming (Moenzadeh
et al., 2010). The growth regulator gibberellic acid (GA)
can improve seed germination rates and reduce germination
time in endive and chicory (Ghodrat and Rousta, 2012;
Tzortzakis, 2009). The application of hydrogen peroxide
(H2O2) enhanced germination efficiency with no effect on
seed coat (Duval and NeSmith, 2000). Hydrogen peroxide
has been suggested to mediate imbibition and hydrolytic
activities required for germination and alleviate salt and
temperature stresses (Çavusoglu andKabar, 2010). Fusicoccin
(FC), from Fusicoccum amygdali is a novel 5-8-5 membrane
tricyclic diterpene glucoside. It is a potent promoter of
germination and dormancy-breaking agent. The mode of
action of FC on plant 14-3-3 proteins and H+-ATPase are
currently attracting substantial attention (Tajima et al.,
2004). FC induced cell wall loosening and thus loss of
turgor and cell enlargement by stimulating H+ extrusion
+
and K uptake similarly to, but much more strongly than
auxin (Marre, 1979).
The information on seed germination, emergence and
uniform growth in polyploid watermelon remains inadequate,
despite the different priming and seed treatment methods
studied so far. Hence, this study was carried out to investi-
gate the priming effects of different concentrations of
chemicals, including H2O2, FC, and GA, on germination and
seedling uniformity of triploid and diploid watermelon.
Materials and Methods
Seed and Chemical Materials
The experimental materials included seeds of three triploid
cultivars, Seedless Plus (Nong Woo Bio Co., Suwon, Korea),
Sinus (L & S Seed Company, Cheongju, Korea), and Sizero
(Syngenta, Bangkok, Thailand). Sambokggul, diploid cultivar,
was used as a control. These were subjected to hydropriming
testing at the Watermelon Experiment Station, Daesan,
Gochang during the year 2013. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2),
fusicoccin (FC), and giberrelic acid (GA) were tested as
germination-enhancing agents. Different concentrations of
H2O2 (2, 4%), FC (1, 5, 10 µM) and GA (1, 5, and 10 µM),
water (H2O), and a control condition were used to analyze
the effect on germination rate of seeds.
Experimental Design
The experiment was conducted as a three-factor compact
family block design (CRBD) randomized with three replica-
tions and ten types of treatments: one water, two concent-
rations of H2O2, three of FC, three of GA, and one control.
However, the 4% H2O2 treatment was omitted for cultivar
Seedless Plus due to insufficient seeds. Each replication
contained twenty-five seeds of each cultivar.
Hydration and Incubation
Twenty-five seeds per replication for each treatment
were weighed. The seeds were gathered together on 22
× 22 cm squares of muslin gauze cloth, then wrapped and
tied using thread attached to a unique number for each
treatment (Seedless Plus V1, Sinus V2, Sizero V3, and
Sambokggul V4). The gauze-wrapped seeds were soaked
in centrifuge tubes containing 15 ml of each respective
concentration of solution for 12 hours and kept at room
temperature (Fig. 1). Imbibed seeds were rinsed with distilled
water prior to incubation at 31 ± 2°C with 35% relative
humidity until seeds were dried to their original seed
weight (around 48 hours).
Evaluation of Germination
Primed seeds were sown in plastic trays containing
commercial soil mixture and raised in a plastic house. The
temperature and humidity were recorded every hour using a
data log. The average temperature and humidity at day/night
were 32 ± 8°C and 62 ± 21%/24 ± 2°C and 93 ± 8%,
934 Korean J. Hortic. Sci. Technol. 33(6), December 2015

A C

Fig. 1. The process of hydration and incubation during seed priming treatment. A, seeds on the muslin gauze cloth; B, seeds
soaked in each solution at room temperature after being wrapped and tied up using thread attached to a label with a unique
number; C, and washed seeds allowed to dry to their original seed weight prior to incubation.

respectively. Seeds were considered germinated upon the N = the final number of germinated seeds; nj , ni: cumulative
protrusion of the cotyledon above the soil. After the third number of seeds germinated by adjacent counts at times
day, the number of germinated seeds was recorded daily tj and ti when ni < N/2 < nj.
for two weeks. The time to 50% germination (T50) was
calculated according to the modified formula reported by Equation 2
Farooq et al. (2005) in Equation 1, and the final germi-
nation percentage (FGP) was estimated using Equation 2. Total No. of germinated seeds
The germination index was calculated based on the formula FGP = × 100
Total No. of seed evaluated
described by the Association of Official Seed Analysts (AOSA,
1983) and used by Farooq et al. (2005) in Equation 3.
Equation 3
Shoot length (cm) and seed weight (g) were recorded on
the last day of observation and 20% of maximal and
No. of germinated seeds No. of germinated seeds
minimal height seedlings were dropped out. GI = + ---- +
Days of first count Days of final count
Equation 1
Statistical Analysis

   
 


     
  The data were analyzed using the statistiXL program
 
   for general statistical analysis. For each of the measured
 Phanna Phat, Sameena Sheikh, Jeong Hyeon Lim, Tae Bok Kim, Mun Ho Seong, Hyong Gwon Jeon, Yong Kyu Shin, Young Ju Song, and Jaejong Noh 935

variables, comparison of means or medians was conducted
through a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) to determine
whether differences are statistically significant (p ≤ 0.05).
Means of treatments were separated by Fisher’s LSD test
at p ≤ 0.05.
Results
Effect of Priming on Seedling Vigor
The different priming and non-priming treatments showed
significant effects on the seedling vigor of triploids (Table
1). FGP was significantly different and higher in primed seeds
compared to control in the triploids but not in the diploid.
Seedless Plus had a higher FGP with 5 μM GA (68%), Sinus
with hydroprimed (81.3%), Sizero with both hydroprimed
(86.7%) and GA 5 μM (86.7%), and Sambokggul with hydro-
primed (98.7%) all showed higher FGP compared with
the control treatment. However, time to 50% germination
did not show a statistically significant difference among
triploid and diploid cultivars. A significant difference in
GI was found only in Sizero with hydroprimed treatment
(4.6) compared with the control treatment (3.5).
Days to Percentage Germination vs Germination Rate
Germination rate (Table 2) was highest in Sizero (control,
73%; hydroprimed, 87%) followed by Sinus (control, 59%;
hydroprimed, 81%) and Seedless Plus (control, 53%, FC
5 μM, 68%). In addition, seeds of Seedless plus treated with
1 μM FC started germinating within three days (1.3%), but
seeds treated with 5 μM GA started germinating by the
fourth day (21.3%). The maximum germination percentage
22.7% was attained within 3 days and reached to 81%
FGP within 8 days in hydroprimed seed of Sinus; in other
treatments FGP ranged from 44% to 71%. Seeds of hydro-
primed Sizero began to germinate within 3 days, then the
germination rate continuously increased, reaching 87%
(FGP) on the 7th day of the first week. However, seeds
primed with other treatments started germinating within
4 days with maximal germination rate at the 7th day, from
2% to 77% FGP.
Effect of Priming on Shoot Height and Fresh Weight
The shoot height and fresh weight of triploids and diploid
cultivars also showed the effect of different priming treat-
ments (Table 3). Seed priming consistently had no positive
effect on shoot height among triploid cultivars. Control
treatment had higher shoot height with 8.1, 9.0, 9.0 cm
in Seedless Plus, Sinus, and Sizero, respectively, compared
to the primed treatments. Although FC likely had positive
effect on the growth of shoot height in Sambokggul with

Table 1. The effects of different priming treatments on seedling vigor of triploid and diploid cultivars on the basis of FGP,
T50, and GI.

FGPz (%)
y
T50 GIx
Treatments
Seedless Plus Sinus Sizero Sambokggul Seedless Plus Sinus Sizero Sambokggul Seedless Plus Sinus Sizero Sambokggul
Control 53.3 58.7 73.3 97.3 6.2 4.1 4.9 4.2 2.3 3.3 3.5 5.4
H2O 54.7 81.3 86.7 98.7 5.6 3.7 4.5 4.6 2.3 5.0 4.6 .9
H2O2 (2%) 40.0 45.3 60.0 76.0 5.0 3.8 4.9 6.6 1.9 2.7 2.9 3.0
H2O2 (4%) - 44.0 49.3 86.7 4.2 5.4 7.2 - 2.5 2.1 2.9
FC (1 μM) 42.7 69.3 80.0 93.3 5.0 4.2 4.4 4.7 2.1 4.3 4.1 4.6
FC (5 μM) 41.3 74.7 60.0 92.0 5.0 4.2 4.3 4.4 2.1 4.2 3.2 4.9
FC (10 μM) 41.3 58.7 74.7 94.7 4.4 4.2 4.6 5.1 2.1 3.4 3.8 4.5
GA (1 μM) 45.3 68.0 78.7 90.7 4.8 4.0 5.1 4.9 2.2 4.1 3.7 4.3
GA (5 μM) 68.0 68.0 86.7 94.7 5.0 4.2 5.0 4.6 3.2 3.8 4.1 4.8
GA (10 μM) 50.7 58.7 74.7 86.7 5.0 3.9 4.9 5.0 2.4 3.5 3.6 3.8
LSDv 14.5 20.3 12.6 - - - - - - - 1.3 -
Values are means from three replicates.
z
Final germination percentage.
y
Time to 50% germination.
x
Germination index.
v
LSD values at p ≤ 0.05.
 Table 2. The effect of different priming treatments on percentage germination over time of diploid and triploid seeds.
Percentage of seeds germinated by this day (%)
Cultivar Treatment rd th th th th th th th th th th th
3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
Control 0.0 ± 0.0z 9.3 ± 5.3 26.7 ± 11.9 38.7 ± 15.4 38.7 ± 15.4 41.3 ± 14.7 44.0 ± 12.0 48.0 ± 8.0 48.0 ± 8.0 48.0 ± 8.0 53.3 ± 2.7 53.3 ± 2.7
H2O 0.0 ± 0.0 9.3 ± 9.3 20.0 ± 12.0 32.0 ± 10.6 40.0 ± 8.3 49.3 ± 8.7 52.0 ± 10.1 53.3 ± 10.7 53.3 ± 10.7 53.3 ± 10.7 54.7 ± 9.3 54.7 ± 9.3
2% H2O2 0.0 ± 0.0 6.7 ± 1.3 22.7 ± 3.5 36.0 ± 4.6 37.3 ± 3.5 40.0 ± 2.3 40.0 ± 2.3 40.0 ± 2.3 40.0 ± 2.3 40.0 ± 2.3 40.0 ± 2.3 40.0 ± 2.3
1 µM FC 1.3 ± 1.3 13.3 ± 7.1 28.0 ± 12.2 32.0 ± 14.0 40.0 ± 10.1 41.3 ± 8.7 41.3 ± 8.7 41.3 ± 8.7 41.3 ± 8.7 41.3 ± 8.7 42.7 ± 7.4 42.7 ± 7.4
Seedless
5 µM FC 0.0 ± 0.0 18.7 ± 3.5 26.7 ± 7.4 34.7 ± 11.4 36.0 ± 10.1 40.0 ± 6.1 41.3 ± 4.8 41.3 ± 4.8 41.3 ± 4.8 41.3 ± 4.8 41.3 ± 4.8 41.3 ± 4.8
Plus
10 µM FC 0.0 ± 0.0 13.3 ± 1.3 32.0 ± 4.0 37.3 ± 1.3 40.0 ± 2.3 40.0 ± 2.3 41.3 ± 2.7 41.3 ± 2.7 41.3 ± 2.7 41.3 ± 2.7 41.3 ± 2.7 41.3 ± 2.7
1 µM GA 0.0 ± 0.0 17.3 ± 1.3 28.0 ± 6.1 36.0 ± 6.1 40.0 ± 4.0 41.3 ± 2.7 44.0 ± 2.3 44.0 ± 2.3 45.3 ± 1.3 45.3 ± 1.3 45.3 ± 1.3 45.3 ± 1.3
5 µM GA 0.0 ± 0.0 21.3 ± 8.7 33.3 ± 12.7 53.3 ± 10.9 60.0 ± 6.1 61.3 ± 4.8 64.0 ± 2.3 68.0 ± 2.3 68.0 ± 2.3 68.0 ± 2.3 68.0 ± 2.3 68.0 ± 2.3
10 µM GA 0.0 ± 0.0 10.7 ± 1.3 29.3 ± 4.8 40.0 ± 9.2 48.0 ± 4.6 49.3 ± 3.5 49.3 ± 3.5 50.7 ± 4.8 50.7 ± 4.8 50.7 ± 4.8 50.7 ± 4.8 50.7 ± 4.8
Control 4.0 ± 2.3 38.7 ± 19.6 45.3 ± 13.1 50.7 ± 8.1 53.3 ± 8.7 53.3 ± 8.7 58.7 ± 3.5 58.7 ± 3.5 58.7 ± 3.5 58.7 ± 3.5 58.7 ± 3.5 58.7 ± 3.5
H2O 22.7 ± 11.4 49.3 ± 12.7 65.3 ± 9.3 77.3 ± 1.3 80.0 ± 2.3 81.3 ± 3.5 81.3 ± 3.5 81.3 ± 3.5 81.3 ± 3.5 81.3 ± 3.5 81.3 ± 3.5 81.3 ± 3.5
Korean J. Hortic. Sci. Technol. 33(6), December 2015

2% H2O2 8.0 ± 6.1 28.0 ± 6.9 40.0 ± 6.1 45.3 ± 3.5 45.3 ± 3.5 45.3 ± 3.5 45.3 ± 3.5 45.3 ± 3.5 45.3 ± 3.5 45.3 ± 3.5 45.3 ± 3.5 45.3 ± 3.5
4% H2O2 1.3 ± 1.3 20.0 ± 2.3 41.3 ± 1.3 44.0 ± 2.3 44.0 ± 2.3 44.0 ± 2.3 44.0 ± 2.3 44.0 ± 2.3 44.0 ± 2.3 44.0 ± 2.3 44.0 ± 2.3 44.0 ± 2.3
1 µM FC 13.3 ± 4.8 53.3 ± 14.8 57.3 ± 14.7 64.0 ± 12.2 69.3 ± 8.7 69.3 ± 8.7 69.3 ± 8.7 69.3 ± 8.7 69.3 ± 8.7 69.3 ± 8.7 69.3 ± 8.7 69.3 ± 8.7
Sinus
5 µM FC 13.3 ± 7.1 40.0 ± 14.0 52.0 ± 12.2 62.7 ± 13.3 68.0 ± 12.0 70.7 ± 9.3 73.3 ± 8.7 74.7 ± 9.6 74.7 ± 9.6 74.7 ± 9.6 74.7 ± 9.6 74.7 ± 9.6
10 µM FC 5.3 ± 2.7 37.3 ± 17.0 49.3 ± 18.8 57.3 ± 12.7 58.7 ± 11.4 58.7 ± 11.4 58.7 ± 11.4 58.7 ± 11.4 58.7 ± 11.4 58.7 ± 11.4 58.7 ± 11.4 58.7 ± 11.4
1 µM GA 9.3 ± 1.3 50.7 ± 19.4 58.7 ± 17.5 66.7 ± 11.4 68.0 ± 10.1 68.0 ± 10.1 68.0 ± 10.1 68.0 ± 10.1 68.0 ± 10.1 68.0 ± 10.1 68.0 ± 10.1 68.0 ± 10.1
5 µM GA 6.7 ± 3.5 38.7 ± 14.8 50.7 ± 8.7 64.0 ± 2.3 65.3 ± 1.3 65.3 ± 1.3 65.3 ± 1.3 66.7 ± 1.3 66.7 ± 1.3 68.0 ± 0.0 68.0 ± 0.0 68.0 ± 0.0
10 µM GA 9.3 ± 5.3 37.3 ± 10.4 53.3 ± 2.7 56.0 ± 4.6 56.0 ± 4.6 57.3 ± 5.8 57.3 ± 5.8 57.3 ± 5.8 57.3 ± 5.8 57.3 ± 5.8 58.7 ± 5.8 58.7 ± 5.8
Control 0.0 ± 0.0 13.3 ± 1.3 42.7 ± 8.1 65.3 ± 4.8 70.7 ± 5.3 73.3 ± 2.7 73.3 ± 2.7 73.3 ± 2.7 73.3 ± 2.7 73.3 ± 2.7 73.3 ± 2.7 73.3 ± 2.7
H2O 4.0 ± 4.0 30.7 ± 13.5 64.0 ± 18.3 84.0 ± 6.1 86.7 ± 3.5 86.7 ± 3.5 86.7 ± 3.5 86.7 ± 3.5 86.7 ± 3.5 86.7 ± 3.5 86.7 ± 3.5 86.7 ± 3.5
2% H2O2 0.0 ± 0.0 14.7 ± 3.5 40.0 ± 10.6 53.3 ± 10.7 54.7 ± 9.3 57.3 ± 6.7 60.0 ± 4.0 60.0 ± 4.0 60.0 ± 4.0 60.0 ± 4.0 60.0 ± 4.0 60.0 ± 4.0
4% H2O2 0.0 ± 0.0 1.3 ± 1.3 14.7 ± 1.3 40.0 ± 2.3 42.7 ± 2.7 46.7 ± 4.8 49.3 ± 4.8 49.3 ± 4.8 49.3 ± 4.8 49.3 ± 4.8 49.3 ± 4.8 49.3 ± 4.8
1 µM FC 0.0 ± 0.0 25.3 ± 9.3 58.7 ± 9.6 73.3 ± 7.4 77.3 ± 5.3 78.7 ± 4.8 80.0 ± 4.6 80.0 ± 4.6 80.0 ± 4.6 80.0 ± 4.6 80.0 ± 4.6 80.0 ± 4.6
Sizero
5 µM FC 0.0 ± 0.0 32.0 ± 8.0 46.7 ± 13.5 56.0 ± 8.3 57.3 ± 7.1 58.7 ± 7.4 58.7 ± 7.4 58.7 ± 7.4 58.7 ± 7.4 58.7 ± 7.4 60.0 ± 6.1 60.0 ± 6.1
10 µM FC 0.0 ± 0.0 28.0 ± 8.3 50.7 ± 11.4 65.3 ± 9.3 70.7 ± 5.8 73.3 ± 4.8 73.3 ± 4.8 74.7 ± 5.3 74.7 ± 5.3 74.7 ± 5.3 74.7 ± 5.3 74.7 ± 5.3
1 µM GA 0.0 ± 0.0 18.7 ± 9.3 46.7 ± 7.4 60.0 ± 12.0 70.7 ± 9.3 74.7 ± 5.3 77.3 ± 2.7 78.7 ± 3.5 78.7 ± 3.5 78.7 ± 3.5 78.7 ± 3.5 78.7 ± 3.5
5 µM GA 0.0 ± 0.0 26.7 ± 13.5 49.3 ± 22.8 58.7 ± 22.4 73.3 ± 10.4 82.7 ± 7.4 86.7 ± 3.5 86.7 ± 3.5 86.7 ± 3.5 86.7 ± 3.5 86.7 ± 3.5 86.7 ± 3.5
10 µM GA 0.0 ± 0.0 22.7 ± 8.1 50.7 ± 9.6 57.3 ± 13.9 62.7 ± 9.3 69.3 ± 8.7 69.3 ± 8.7 73.3 ± 4.8 73.3 ± 4.8 73.3 ± 4.8 74.7 ± 3.5 74.7 ± 3.5
Control 9.3 ± 7.4 56.0 ± 28.1 70.7 ± 27.4 85.3 ± 12.7 92.0 ± 6.1 94.7 ± 3.5 97.3 ± 1.3 97.3 ± 1.3 97.3 ± 1.3 97.3 ± 1.3 97.3 ± 1.3 97.3 ± 1.3
H2O 1.3 ± 1.3 34.7 ± 15.4 64.0 ± 22.3 66.7 ± 21.8 89.3 ± 4.8 94.7 ± 1.3 96.0 ± 2.3 98.7 ± 1.3 98.7 ± 1.3 98.7 ± 1.3 98.7 ± 1.3 98.7 ± 1.3
2% H2O2 0.0 ± 0.0 2.7 ± 2.7 20.0 ± 2.3 40.0 ± 10.6 57.3 ± 18.8 61.3 ± 16.7 69.3 ± 12.7 74.7 ± 7.4 74.7 ± 7.4 74.7 ± 7.4 76.0 ± 8.0 76.0 ± 8.0
4% H2O2 0.0 ± 0.0 0.0 ± 0.0 4.0 ± 4.0 21.3 ± 10.7 48.0 ± 12.9 60.0 ± 12.9 68.0 ± 14.4 76.0 ± 14.0 76.0 ± 14.0 77.3 ± 14.7 86.7 ± 7.4 86.7 ± 7.4
1 µM FC 2.7 ± 2.7 30.7 ± 15.7 57.3 ± 25.3 73.3 ± 15.4 86.7 ± 7.1 92.0 ± 6.1 92.0 ± 6.1 93.3 ± 4.8 93.3 ± 4.8 93.3 ± 4.8 93.3 ± 4.8 93.3 ± 4.8
Sambokggul
5 µM FC 8.0 ± 4.6 36.0 ± 16.0 62.7 ± 16.4 82.7 ± 13.3 89.3 ± 6.7 89.3 ± 6.7 89.3 ± 6.7 92.0 ± 4.0 92.0 ± 4.0 92.0 ± 4.0 92.0 ± 4.0 92.0 ± 4.0
10 µM FC 0.0 ± 0.0 18.7 ± 10.4 58.7 ± 27.6 73.3 ± 24.7 88.0 ± 10.1 88.0 ± 10.1 94.7 ± 3.5 94.7 ± 3.5 94.7 ± 3.5 94.7 ± 3.5 94.7 ± 3.5 94.7 ± 3.5
1 µM GA 0.0 ± 0.0 20.0 ± 11.5 54.7 ± 21 70.7 ± 15.4 86.7 ± 7.4 89.3 ± 4.8 89.3 ± 4.8 90.7 ± 3.5 90.7 ± 3.5 90.7 ± 3.5 90.7 ± 3.5 90.7 ± 3.5
5 µM GA 0.0 ± 0.0 32.0 ± 18.5 62.7 ± 23.4 82.7 ± 15.4 90.7 ± 9.3 93.3 ± 6.7 93.3 ± 6.7 94.7 ± 5.3 94.7 ± 5.3 94.7 ± 5.3 94.7 ± 5.3 94.7 ± 5.3
10 µM GA 0.0 ± 0.0 20.0 ± 6.9 60.0 ± 16.2 70.7 ± 17.3 82.7 ± 7.4 84.0 ± 6.1 85.3 ± 4.8 86.7 ± 5.3 86.7 ± 5.3 86.7 ± 5.3 86.7 ± 5.3 86.7 ± 5.3
936 z
Values are mean ± SE from three replicates.
 Phanna Phat, Sameena Sheikh, Jeong Hyeon Lim, Tae Bok Kim, Mun Ho Seong, Hyong Gwon Jeon, Yong Kyu Shin, Young Ju Song, and Jaejong Noh 937

Table 3. The effect of different priming treatments on shoot height (cm) and fresh weight (g) of seedlings of triploid and
diploid cultivars
H2O2 FC GA P
Treatments Cont. H2O
2% 4% 1 µM 5 µM 10 µM 1 µM 5 µM 10 µM value

Number of
24 25 16 20 18 18 19 30 21
seedlings
z
Means 8.1 ± 0.5 7.2 ± 0.4 6 ± 0.3 7.7 ± 0.4 6.7 ± 0.4 7.3 ± 0.3 7.9 ± 0.3 7 ± 0.3 7.7 ± 0.3 0.01
Seedless Shoot
Plus height Variance 7.0 3.4 1.5 2.8 3.4 1.4 1.2 2.0 1.5

Fresh Means 0.51 ± 0.04 0.49 ± 0.03 0.38 ± 0.03 0.54 ± 0.04 0.48 ± 0.03 0.47 ± 0.03 0.55 ± 0.03 0.5 ± 0.03 0.57 ± 0.04 0.04
weight Variance 0.04 0.03 0.01 0.04 0.02 0.01 0.02 0.02 0.04
Number of
27 36 19 10 32 35 29 29 28 25
seedlings

Shoot Means 9 ± 0.4 8.7 ± 0.3 6.3 ± 0.4 4.3 ± 0.3 8.8 ± 0.3 7.6 ± 0.3 7.1 ± 0.4 8.3 ± 0.3 8.8 ± 0.3 9 ± 0.3 1.27
Sinus height Variance 4.44 3.49 2.78 0.97 3.17 3.33 3.84 3.07 2.92 2.17

Fresh Means 0.7 ± 0.06 0.72 ± 0.06 0.45 ± 0.03 0.27 ± 0.03 0.6 ± 0.03 0.56 ± 0.03 0.48 ± 0.03 0.61 ± 0.04 0.63 ± 0.04 0.69 ± 0.04 1.87
weight Variance 0.10 0.12 0.02 0.01 0.04 0.02 0.02 0.04 0.05 0.04
Number of
35 40 27 21 36 25 37 36 39 33
seedlings

Shoot Means 9 ± 0.2 8.8 ± 0.2 5.8 ± 0.3 4.7 ± 0.2 8.4 ± 0.2 7.8 ± 0.3 7.1 ± 0.3 7.2 ± 0.5 7.2 ± 0.3 7.4 ± 0.3 3.19
Sizero height Variance 1.89 2.01 1.88 0.81 1.29 2.40 2.59 7.22 4.35 3.05

Fresh Means 0.61 ± 0.03 0.77 ± 0.03 0.47 ± 0.03 0.44 ± 0.03 0.8 ± 0.06 0.63 ± 0.04 0.62 ± 0.03 0.57 ± 0.04 0.6 ± 0.04 0.61 ± 0.05 8.24
weight Variance 0.03 0.03 0.02 0.02 0.13 0.03 0.03 0.06 0.06 0.07
Number of
43 47 36 41 42 43 45 41 43 39
seedlings

Shoot Means 9.4 ± 0.4 9.8 ± 0.4 5.3 ± 0.3 4.1 ± 0.2 10.1 ± 0.3 10.1 ± 0.3 10.3 ± 0.3 9.5 ± 0.3 9.9 ± 0.3 9.8 ± 0.3 9.18
Sambok- height
Variance 5.65 6.57 3.15 1.87 3.99 3.26 3.91 4.22 3.35 3.64
ggul
0.97 0.94 0.56 0.41 1.06 1.07 1.04 0.92 0.93 0.86
Fresh Means 1.28
weigh 30.03h 0.033h 0.02h 0.022h 0.032h 0.032h 0.03h 0.03h 0.023h
weight
Variance 0.17 0.13 0.04 0.03 0.11 0.12 0.08 0.09 0.07 0.07

a height of 10.1 cm (1 µM FC), 10.1 cm (5 µM FC), and
10.3 cm (10 µM FC) over the control treatment (9.4 cm),
a significant effect was not found. Fresh weight of shoots
showed a marginal difference in primed treatment with
2% H2O2 over the control, FC, and GA treatments among
triploids and diploid cultivars with the exception Seedless
Plus. Fresh weight was 0.38 g in seedlings from seeds
treated with 2% H2O2, compared to 0.51 g in control, 0.54
g in 1 µM FC, 0.55 g in 1 µM GA, 0.5 g in 5 µM GA, and 0.57
g in 10 µM GA in Seedless Plus. Inconsistent differences
were observed in treatments with FC and GA over the
control treatment among all triploids and diploid cultivars.
All these differences in seedling vigor were suggested
to be due to differences in shape and sizes of seeds, seed
coat thickness, and air space cavity. Larger air spaces in
seeds were observed in Sinus, followed by Seedless Plus,
Sizero, and Sambokggul (Fig. 2). Seedlings of control vs
primed seeds with 5 µM GA, which was the most effective
in Seedless Plus, hydroprimed Sinus, and hydroprimed
Sizero are shown in the Fig. 3.
Discussion
The present experimental findings showed that seed
priming has a positive effect on the germination rate in
all triploid cultivars and germination index (GI) in Sizero,
whereas time to 50% germination (T50) showed no effect.
In our study, seeds of triploids and diploids had some
differences in seed shape and sizes, thickness of seed coat,
and air space cavity and these factors led to variation in
response to priming treatments, resulting in differences
in germination ability. FGP increased in all triploid cultivars
and GI increased in Sizero, but T50 showed no differences.
The results revealed that Seedless plus showed better
performance with 5 µM GA (FGP, 68%; GI, 3.2), Sinus with
hydropriming (FGP, 81.3%; GI, 5.0), and Sizero with hydro-
priming (FGP, 86.7%; GI, 4.6) treatments. Sambokggul
showed the highest FGP 98.7% with hydropriming treatment
938 Korean J. Hortic. Sci. Technol. 33(6), December 2015

A B C

D E F

G H I

J K L

Fig. 2. Differences in shape of triploid seeds showing larger airspace in comparison to diploid cultivar before and after imbibition.
A-C, Diploid, Sambokggul; D-F, Triploid, Seedless Plus; G-I, Triploid, Sinus; J-L, Triploid, Sizero.

whereas GI and T50 showed no effect of any primed treat-
ment over the control. Germination rate was 68% after
13 days in Seedless plus with 5 µM GA, 81% within 8
days in Sinus with hydropriming, and 87% with 8 days
in Sizero with hydropriming. Seed priming consistently
had no effect on shoot height among triploid cultivars and
fresh weight of shoots had a marginal difference of regression
in seeds treated with 2% of H2O2 over the control among
triploids and diploid cultivars, with the exception of Seedless
Plus. In particular, it was noted that as the concentration
of different treatments increased, there was corresponding
negative impact on the seedling vigor of the triploids and
diploid cultivars. Hence, concentration played key factor in
controlling the germination behavior in triploids. It has been
reported that priming techniques were applied successfully
to improve germination rate, uniformity of germination,
final germination, or shorten T50 (Eskandari and Kazemi,
2011; Moghamibashi et al., 2012); however, germination
efficiency was found to vary with species and priming
method (Selvarani and Umarani, 2011). This result was
in agreement with the results of Huang et al. (2002), which
showed that hydropriming was effective in triploid water-
melon cultivar Guangxi. FC was found to accelerate metabolic
processes (Lutsenko et al., 2005), transmembrane electric
potential, and germination (Ajmal Khan et al., 2009; Ballarin-
Denti and Cucucci, 1979; Gul and Weber, 1998; Simonovic
et al., 2000).
The amount of seed material and its composition within
the seed is presumably utilized to support seed coat splitting
and seedling emergence. In triploids particularly, due to
the weak embryo, the energy required to overcome the
resistance of the thick seed coat and the overlying growth
 Phanna Phat, Sameena Sheikh, Jeong Hyeon Lim, Tae Bok Kim, Mun Ho Seong, Hyong Gwon Jeon, Yong Kyu Shin, Young Ju Song, and Jaejong Noh 939
Fig. 3. Comparison of seedlings of control vs primed seeds; A, GA 5 µM in Seedless Plus; B, control vs hydroprimed Sinus;
and C, and control vs hydroprimed Sizero.
media would be limited to some extent, resulting in low
emergence rate. Hence prior seed priming treatment, i.e.
before the seed began growing in the nursery, helped to
provide this energy to enhance germination performance.
The present findings helped to find the optimal priming
conditions for achieving improved germination of triploid
watermelon. GA and hydropriming helped to break down
seed dormancy and thus led to the enhancement of FGP
and GI. It was concluded that hydropriming and 5 µM GA
seed treatments could efficiently enhance germination in
triploids. These seed priming treatments could be used
on a large scale for industrial applications. Hydropriming
is a simple, effective, and costless method for improving
seed germination and seedling vigor of Sinus and Sizero.
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