Hybrid Seed Production in Watermelon.

Controlled pollinations are an essential part of watermelon hybrid seed production, and the use of male sterility will reduce labor required. Profitable seed production must employ good cultural practices and timely harvest. Triploid hybrid seed production varies considerably from diploid hybrid seed production. The generation of tetraploid parents has been enhanced considerably with the use of tissue cultural and chromosome doubling agents other than colchicine. Tri-ploid hybrids, with two chromosome sets from the female parent and one from the pollen parent offers more variety to the consumer as well as more strategies for the employment of past resistance. New triploids can be deployed quickly to meet new pest problems and market demands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]