Putrescine and boron treatments increase seed quality in Melon (Cucumis melo var. inodorus)

In agriculture, seed quality and high yield are directly related to each other. Hybrid seed production is difficult and expensive, and as it were not enough, the rate of empty seeds at the end of production is high, which reveals the importance of studies in seedling emergence. Empty seed formation is frequently encountered in melons and causes low seed productivity. Efforts to eliminate this situation and improve seed germination and emergence quality will have positive effects on both producers and consumers. In this study, it was aimed to determine the effects of boron and putrescine on seed number per fruit, seed germination, and seed emergence rates in Cucumis melo var. inodorus. The seeds used in the research were produced from plants of the SR-21 and Sİ-8 genotypes to which boron and putrescine were applied in the spring-summer growing period of 2023. In research, germination and emergence rates, germination and emergence times, germination and emergence index parameters in seeds were investigated. Seed quality parameters were positively affected by boron and putrescine applications, boron increased seed quality compared to the control. Putrescine was the application that had the best effect on seed quality. As a result, it was determined that putrescine (90.16%; 92.83% respectively), boron (83.83%; 94.67% respectively), and boron+putrescine combinations (78.16%; 84.17%) increased the germination and emergence rate compared to the control group (%55, 58.17 respectively or % increases can be given compared to the control group). In conclusion, to produce higher quality seeds, breeders and seed companies could apply putrescine and boron to the plant before hand pollination.