Abstract
Seedless watermelons are triploid hybrids (3n) that have been growing in popularity since the 1990s. However, the high production cost and low germination rate of the hybrid seeds pose a major problem in their production. The synseed technology could make a promising alternative for seedless watermelon propagation; however, this alternative has not yet been explored. This study aimed at producing synseeds of seedless watermelon ‘Quality’ using shoot tips as the propagules after which their germination and conversion were evaluated under in vitro and ex vitro conditions. In vitro shoot multiplication with different concentrations of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), synseed production from BAP-multiplied shoot tips, synseed sowing in vitro using several substrates and medium supplements, and synseed sowing ex vitro using different antimicrobial agents were investigated. Results indicated that 1.0 mg L−1 BAP resulted in the highest number of shoots per shoot tip explant. Synseeds produced from BAP-multiplied shoot tips achieved faster germination compared to synseeds from non-BAP-derived shoot tips, but there was no difference in terms of conversion and acclimatization survival rates. Agar showed greater conversion and acclimatization survival rates as well as root number, root length, and shoot length than the other substrates especially when indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) at 1.0 mg L−1 was added to the medium. However, this study demonstrated the possibility of using vermiculite as an alternative substrate to agar. PPM at 0.5% was a better microbial agent than 100.0 mg L−1 mancozeb for ex vitro synseed sowing as it achieved zero contamination and maintained the growing potential of synseeds with 65% germination, 85% survival, and 25% rooting rates.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
360 Research Reports (2022) Seedless Watermelon Seed Market Size In 2022: Top Countries Data, High Demand, Business Scenario, Market Size, Share, Growth, Insights, Industry Analysis, Trends and Forecasts Report 2028. https://www.theexpresswire.com/pressrelease/Seedless-Watermelon-Seed-Market-Size-In-2022-Top-Countries-Data-High-Demand-Business-Scenario-Market-Size-Share-Growth-Insights-Industry-Analysis-Trends-and-Forecasts-Report-2028-111-Report-Pages_16622312. Cited 30 July 2023
Alhajhoj Al-Qahtani MR, Alkhateeb AA (2008) Alternative to agar: effect of different growing media on in vitro production of somatic embryogenesis in date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) cv. Khalass Acta Hortic 779:649–654. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2008.779.84
Al-Khalifah NS, Khan FA, Askari E (2010) Medium supplements and support matrices for better in vitro growth of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.). Acta Hortic 882:815–825. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2010.882.93
Antonietta GM, Ahmad HI, Maurizio M, Alvaro S (2007) Preliminary research on conversion of encapsulated somatic embryos of Citrus reticulata Blanco, cv. Mandarino Tardivo di Ciaculli. Plant Cell Tiss Org Cult 88:117–120. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11240-006-9185-0
Baweja AS, Wilding LP, McLean EO (1974) Mineralogy and cation exchange properties of libby vermiculite separates as affected by particle-size reduction. Clays Clay Miner 22:253–262. https://doi.org/10.1346/CCMN.1974.0220307
Capuano G, Piccioni E, Standardi A (1998) Effect of different treatments on the conversion of M.26 apple rootstock synthetic seeds obtained from encapsulated apical and axillary micropropagated buds. J Hortic Sci Biotechnol 73:289–297. https://doi.org/10.1080/14620316.1998.11510977
Chandrasekhara RM (2012) Synthetic seeds: A review in agriculture and forestry. Afr J Biotechnol 11:14254–14275. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJB12.770
Chomicki G, Schaefer H, Renner SS (2020) Origin and domestication of Cucurbitaceae crops: insights from phylogenies, genomics and archaeology. New Phytol 226:1240–1255. https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.16015
Compton ME, Gray DJ (1992) Micropropagation as a means of rapidly propagating triploid and tetraploid watermelon. In: Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society. pp 352–354
Compton ME, Gray DJ (1993) Shoot organogenesis and plant regeneration from cotyledons of diploid, triploid, and tetraploid watermelon. J Am Soc Hortic Sci 118:151–157. https://doi.org/10.21273/JASHS.118.1.151
Duval JR, NeSmith DS (1999) Emergence of ‘Genesis’ triploid watermelon following mechanical scarification. J Am Soc Hort Sci 124:430–432. https://doi.org/10.21273/JASHS.124.4.430
FAOSTAT (2023) Crops and livestock products. https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL. Cited 17 Jun 2023
Ganasan K, Huyop F (2010) In vitro regeneration of Citrullus lanatus cv. Round Dragon J Biol Sci 10:131–137. https://doi.org/10.3923/jbs.2010.131.137
Gangopadhyay G, Bandyopadhyay T, Ramit P (2005) Encapsulation of pineapple microshoots in alginate beads for temporary storage. Curr Sci 88:972–977. https://www.jstor.org/stable/24110394. Accessed 15 Feb 2022
George EF, Hall MA, De Klerk GJ (2008) Plant tissue culture procedure - background. In: George EF, Hall MA, De Klerk GJ (eds) Plant propagation by tissue culture. Springer Netherlands, Dordrecht, pp 1–28. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-4020-5005-3_1
George MW, Tripepi RR (2001) Plant preservative mixture can affect shoot regeneration from leaf explants of chrysanthemum, European birch, and rhododendron. HortScience 36:768–769. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI.36.4.768
Grange SL, Leskovar DI, Pike LM, Cobb BG (2000) Excess moisture and seedcoat nicking influence germination of triploid watermelon. HortScience 35:1355–1356. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI.35.7.1355
Grange SL, Leskovar DI, Pike LM, Cobb BG (2003) Seedcoat structure and oxygen-enhanced environments affect germination of triploid watermelon. J Am Soc Hortic Sci 128:253–259. https://doi.org/10.21273/JASHS.128.2.0253
Grim RE (1968) Clay mineralogy, 2nd edn. McGraw-Hill, New York
Jaskani MJ, Kwon SW, Kim DH (2005) Comparative study on vegetative, reproductive and qualitative traits of seven diploid and tetraploid watermelon lines. Euphytica. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10681-005-1644-x
Known-You Seed (2023) Known You Seed Seedless Watermelon Product Catalog. https://www.knownyou.com/en_index.jsp?bodyinclude=PRODUCTDETAIL&pid=9C8B16EC5695090B8AB8E3428C1AEBDBP286. Cited 3 Oct 2023
Lata H, Chandra S, Khan IA, El-Sohly MA (2009) Propagation through alginate encapsulation of axillary buds of Cannabis sativa L. - an important medicinal plant. Physiol Mol Biol Plants 15:79–86. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12298-009-0008-8
Li L, Zhou X, Li Y (2017) Water absorption and water/fertilizer retention performance of vermiculite modified sulphoaluminate cementitious materials. Constr Build Mater 137:224–233. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.01.061
Marinova S, Toncheva R, Zlatareva E, Pchelarova H (2012) Characteristics of vermiculite and its influence on the yield of lettuce in greenhouse experiments. In: Balwois Conference 2012. https://balwois.com/?s=vermiculite&post_type=k9proceeding. Cited 18 June 2023
Marr CW, Gast KLB (1991) Reactions by consumers in a farmers’ market to prices for seedless watermelon and ratings of eating quality. HortTechnology 1:105–106. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH.1.1.105
Niedz RP, Bausher MG (2002) Control of in vitro contamination of explants from greenhouse- and field-grown trees. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol - Plant 38:468–471. https://doi.org/10.1079/IVP2002316
Saiprasad GVS, Polisetty R (2003) Propagation of three orchid genera using encapsulated protocorm-like bodies. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol - Plant 39:42–48. https://doi.org/10.1079/IVP2002360
Shalaby TA, Omran SA, Baioumi YA (2008) In vitro propagation of two triploid hybrids of watermelon through adventitious shoot organogenesis and shoot tip culture. Acta Biol Szeged 52:27–31. https://abs.bibl.u-szeged.hu/index.php/abs/article/view/2574. Cited: 17 June 2023
Teixeira da Silva JA, Nezami-Alanagh E, Barreal ME, Kher MM, Wicaksono A, Gulyás A, Hidvégi N, Magyar-Tábori K, Mendler-Drienyovszki N, Márton L, Landín M, Gallego PP, Driver JA, Dobránszki J (2020) Shoot tip necrosis of in vitro plant cultures: a reappraisal of possible causes and solutions. Planta 252:47. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-020-03449-4
Tondi G, Pizzi A, Olives R (2008) Natural tannin-based rigid foams as insulation for doors and wall panels. Maderas Cienc y Tecnol 10:219–228. https://doi.org/10.4067/S0718-221X2008000300005
Wang T, Leskovar DI, Cobb BG (2014) Respiration during germination of diploid and triploid watermelon. Seed Sci Technol 42:313–321. https://doi.org/10.15258/sst.2014.42.3.01
Wheeler RM, Schwartzkopf SH, Tibbitts TW, Langhans RW (1985) Elimination of toxicity from polyurethane foam plugs used for plant culture. HortScience 20:448–449. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI.20.3.448
Yen W-Y, Alex Chang Y-C, Wang Y-T (2011) The acidification of sphagnum moss substrate during Phalaenopsis cultivation. HortScience 46:1022–1026. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI.46.7.1022
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
The authors declare no competing interests.
Rights and permissions
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
About this article
Cite this article
Santika, P., Fang, JY. Synseed germination, conversion, and acclimatization of seedless watermelon ‘Quality’. In Vitro Cell.Dev.Biol.-Plant 60, 112–121 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11627-023-10403-y
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11627-023-10403-y