Comparison of Different Methods of Cantaloupe Seed Separation and Their Effects on Seed Germination Characteristics

In order to study different methods of separating the seeds of cantaloupe (Cucumis melo L. var. reticualus) from the sorrounding fleshy tissues (placenta) and the effects of various treatments on seed germination characteristics, an experiment was conducted in Agricultural and Natural Research Center of Varamin, Iran, in 2009. In this research, which was based on a randomized complete blocks design with three replicates, three methods of seed separation including fermentation (for 24 and 48 hours), sulfuric acid (0.5, 1, 2, 12, 24, 49 and 98 percent) and hydrochloric acid (0.5, 1, 2, 4.8, 9.5, 18 and 38 percent) were used. The results showed that 98% sulfuric acid treatment was able to finish the seed separation process within 5 minutes, and with germination rate of 0.058 seeds per day was among the best treatments. In hydrochloric acid treatment, especially at high concentrations (18 and 38 percent), though seed separation was performed at acceptable rate and had positive effects on seed germination rate and percentage, but the electrical conductivity of seed solution showed that these treatments increased leakage of cellular materials, in addition to significant reduction of radicle and plumule length. Fermentation treatments had positive effects on separation and germination characteristics, except that they prolonged the time required for seed separation (24 and 48 hours). Among the treatments, the 98% sulfuric acid was superior to other treatments due to faster separation of seeds from the fleshy parts and its positive effects on seed germination characteristics.