Courgette seed characteristics: Planting method and timing effects

The article provides information on the results of a study on the volume of physical parameters of seeds obtained from seed fruits when growing squash varieties Orbita and Viridi from seedlings and non-seedlings, their germination energy and germination. The aim of the research is to establish the influence of seedling and seedless methods of cultivation of squash in different terms on the qualitative characteristics of seeds. According to the results of measurements of seeds of courgette varieties Orbita and Viridi in longitudinal and cross sections, it was found that when grown by seedling method seeds are longer (Orbita – 19.05 mm, Viridi – 14.04 mm), wider (Orbita – 9.33 mm, Viridi – 8.30 mm) and thicker (Orbita – 2.98 mm, Viridi – 2.40 mm). It was found that the highest germination energy (81%) and high seed germination (98%) were possessed by seeds of the variety Orbita grown on 1 April, and those of the variety Viridi grown by the seedling method on 1 April and 10 April (energy-79% and germination 97%). Seeds obtained from the seedling less method also had relatively high germination energy 78–79% and germination 97%.