SEED STORAGE OF CERTAIN CUCURBITACEAE SPECIES UNDER CONTROLLED CONDITIONS

Article language

українська

Print date

23.12.2025

Date posted online

19.03.2026

Institution

Yuriev Plant Production Institute of NAAS

Bibliography

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Section

PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES CONSERVATION

Abstract

Aim. Cucurbitaceae seed longevity determinаtion of pumpkin specieses, watermelon, melon, cucumber, courgette and squash to optimise their long-term storage under controlled temperature and seed moisture conditions.

Results and Discussion. Cucurbitaceae seeds longevity  has been studied for such species as pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo), winter squash (Cucurbita maxima), butternut squash (Cucurbita moschata), watermelon (Citrullus lanatus), melon (Cucumis melo L.), cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), courgette (Cucurbita pepo var. giromontiina Grebensc), pattypan squash (Cucurbita pepo var. melopepo) under controlled moisture conditions not exceeding 4.5%, both in a storage facility with unregulated temperature located in eastern forest-steppe of Ukraine and in storage facilities with low positive temperature +4℃ or negative temperature −18±3℃. No changes in germination rate or only slight variation, predominantly a decrease, was observed in pumpkin seeds; no change in germination rate was observed for winter squash and butternut squash seeds over a storage period of 7–9 years. The germination rate of watermelon, melon, courgetti, pattypan squash and cucumber seeds remained unchanged in most samples over the specified storage period. In some cases, variations in seed germination were observed, which could exceed 15%.

Conclusions. The viability of Cucurbitaceae seeds remained virtually unchanged for most samples after 7–9 years of storage under controlled moisture conditions not exceeding 4.5%. Structural characteristics influence of Cucurbitaceae seeds, their oil content and phytohormones on seed longevity during storage is discussed.

Keywords

seeds, storage, shelf life, Cucurbitaceae, pumpkin, watermelon, melon, cucumber, courgette, pattypan squash