Quality of watermelon seeds storage at differents package and conditions

Abstract

This work aimed to evaluate the performance of seeds of watermelon  (Citrullus lanatus Schrad.), cv. Crimson Sweet, stored for a twelve months period at different packages (transparent plastic bags, paper bags, and plastic trays of the brand tuppewear) stored in the seed laboratory at room temperature and cold chamber (10 ºC and 40 ± 5% RH). Evaluations were carried out every four months and consisted of germination and a vigor tests (first seedlings counting, electrical conductivity, accelerated aging, and seedling emergence), plus seed moisture assessment. The results suggested that seeds kept in cold chamber (10 ºC and 40 ± 5% RH), regardless of packaging type, presented no loss of physiological quality for a twelve months period.