Anatomical, physiological and production factors involved in germination of melon seeds

The germination of melon seeds has received considerable attention from seed physiologists, as it relates to external and internal factors that ensure the best-germinating seeds. The failure of melon seeds to germinate may at times have no relation to seed quality but may be due to the lack of specific requirements. Appropriate temperature is probably the most important factor, but oxygen, hormones and water potential are also involved in controlling germination. Experience has shown that high-quality seed is essential for the production of a satisfactory crop of melons, and seed quality can be affected by the maternal environment, seed maturity at harvest, extraction procedure, and storage conditions. Priming treatments can improve germination, especially when applied to poor-quality seeds, under stressful environments. Genetic variation can account for differences in sensitivity to these factors.