| Popis: |
Quantifying the germination behaviour of seeds against fluctuating environmental conditions can use as a useful tool for seed ecological studies. The response of seed germination rate to temperature (T) and water potential (Ψ) can be described using thermal time (TT), hydrotime (HT), and hydrothermal time (HTT) models. The germination behaviour of Persian melons (C. melo L.) were studied over a range of constant temperatures and water availability to assess the performance of hydro-thermal time models and to provide a data set of germination thresholds and parameters for the Persian melons. The seeds of melons were germinated in the laboratory over a water potential range from 0 to –1.25 MPa at 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 and 45 °C. The results showed that germination percentage was affected by water potential, temperature and their interactions. Germination increased with increasing temperature within the range of 15–25 °C, then decreased as temperature increased from 25 to 45 °C. Furthermore, final germination percentages were reduced with decreasing Ψ, although significant reduction was observed at Ψs less than –0.25 MPa. The model analysis showed that the dynamics of seed germination were generally well described by the TT model within Ψs range |
Full Text from ScienceDirect