Nanoparticle-Mediated Seed Priming Improves Germination, Growth, Yield, and Quality of Watermelons (Citrullus lanatus) at multi-locations in Texas

Abstract

Seed priming uses treatments to improve seed germination and thus potentially increase growth and yield. Low-cost, environmentally friendly, effective seed treatment remain to be optimized and tested for high-value specialty crop like watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) in multi-locations. this remains a particularly acute problem for triploids, which produce desirable seedless watermelons, but show low germination rates. in the present study, turmeric oil nanoemulsions (tne) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized from agro-industrial byproducts were used as nanopriming agents for diploid (Riverside) and triploid (Maxima) watermelon seeds. Internalization of nanomaterials was confirmed by neutron activation analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and gas chromatographymass spectrometry. The seedling emergence rate at 14 days after sowing was significantly higher in Agnp-treated triploid seeds compared to other treatments. Soluble sugar (glucose and fructose) contents were enhanced during germination in the AgNP-treated seeds at 96 h. Seedlings grown in the greenhouse were transplanted at four locations in texas: edinburg, pecos, Grapeland, and Snook in 2017. At Snook, higher yield 31.6% and 35.6% compared to control were observed in AgNPtreated Riverside and Maxima watermelons, respectively. To validate the first-year results, treated and untreated seeds of both cultivars were sown in Weslaco, Texas in 2018. While seed emegence and stand establishments were enhanced by seed priming, total phenolics radical-scavenging activities, and macro-and microelements in the watermelon fruits were not significantly different from the control. the results of the present study demonstracted that seed priming with Agnps can enhance seed germination, growth, and yield while maintaining fruit quality through an eco-friendly and sustainable nanotechnological approach.Rapid and uniform seed germination is important for adequate crop establishment to ensure economic sustainability and efficient use of production resources in commercial agriculture 1 . This situation is particularly evident in high-value specialty crops such as watermelons where demand and production of seedless (triploid) varieties has become very popular compared to traditional seeded (diploid) varieties 2 . However, seedless (triploid) varieties have several production limitations, including low seed germination rates compared with diploid varieties, and generally lower stand establishment rates as a result of seedling sensitivity to environmental stresses. Seed characteristics partly account for these limitations. Triploid watermelon seeds are smaller in size, which has been associated with a limited amount of reserves to support germination and seedling growth. Significantly smaller lipid bodies and lower starch levels have been reported in triploid compared to the diploid seeds and these observations were correlated with significantly lower average germination rates for triploid seeds 3,4 . Besides size, other seed characteristics such as their thick seed ...

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