Modification of Sex-Expression in Watermelon (Citrullus Vulgaris Schard.)

The effect of five concentrations (50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 ppm) of MH was studied in Citrullus vulgaris. All the concentrations of MH increased the hermaphrodite flowers but the maximum bisexual flowers were recorded in MH-250 ppm. The pollen viability of hermaphrodite flowers was very low and it was recorded that in lower concentrations few anthers were found without pollen grain. The maximum pollen germination in bisexual flowers was 45.57 percent obtained in 15 per cent sucrose solution with 0.015 per cent boric acid. The maximum fruit set in bisexual flowers was recorded 26.32 per cent while in pistillate flowers the maximum fruit set 67.73 per cent was observed in MH-100 ppm.