Effect of Growth Regulators on Germination of Cucumber and other Cucurbit Seeds at Suboptimal Temperatures1

Abstract

The rate and total germination of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) seeds incubated at 12°C was markedly increased by acetone infusion with fusicoccin (FC). Gibberellic acid (GA4/7) was less effective than FC but more effective than GA3 or (2-chloroethyl)phosphoric acid (ethe-phon) in promoting rapid germination. Infusion of GA4/7 alone or in combination with kinetin and/or ethephon into muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) seeds increased total germination at 16°C The growth regulators were generally not effective in promoting low temperature germination of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai) seeds.