Vegetable Seed Germination and Emergence
Managing temperature, moisture and seedbed texture helps promote good germination and emergence.
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Seed to seedling is the hardest life stage for a watermelon. It’s why many growers use propagation partners to set them up with strong plants for the field. Getting that good start means finding the right propagator to help ensure your plants are delivered on time, healthy and uniform.
According to experts at Clemson University and NC State University1 failure to provide optimum growing practices for triploid watermelon seeds can result in:
Reduced seed germination
Uneven seed germination and transplant size
Leggy/elongated transplants
Weaker plants resulting in yield reduction
When seed is not stored properly or propagation practices are not optimized, plant quality can be impacted. In such instances, the quality challenges could be related to the handling of the seed rather than the seed itself. Having partners with strong practices in place is crucial to help ensure the highest quality outcomes for our plants.
Don’t risk these outcomes from poor propagation practices:
More seed needed to fill the order
Missed planting windows
Reduced plant survival and harvest uniformity
Spread of pathogens to the field
Loss of market opportunity if planting windows aren’t met
Reduced yield or increased disease pressures due to late planting
Hear from Ashley Fowler from Fowler Plant Company on the processes they use to help ensure healthy transplants are delivered to the field on time.
Agronomic Spotlights
Our Agronomic Spotlights feature a wide range of topics, including disease and pest resistance and best management practices for watermelon.
Diseases in Watermelon Transplant Production
The development of diseases during the production of watermelon transplants can substantially impact seedling health and field production.
Seedless (Triploid) Watermelon Transplant Production
Seedless (triploid) watermelon seed requires specific conditions for adequate germination and emergence.
Download our cucurbit disease guide, curated by our expert pathologists, that provides descriptions and pictures of common cucurbit diseases and disorders found worldwide.
Reference
1Hassell RL and Schultheis JR. Seedless Watermelon Transplant Production Guidelines.
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Performance may vary, from location to location and from year to year, as local growing, soil and environmental conditions may vary. Growers should evaluate data from multiple locations and years whenever possible and should consider the impacts of these conditions on their growing environment.
The recommendations in this material are based upon trial observations and feedback received from a limited number of growers and growing environments. These recommendations should be considered as one reference point and should not be substituted for the professional opinion of agronomists, entomologists or other relevant experts evaluating specific conditions.
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