The effect of excision of cotyledons on the growth, flowering and yield of melon (Cucumeropsis manni Naudin)

Abstract

:      The effects of excision of cotyledons on the growth, flowering and yield of the melon (Cucumeropsis manni Naudin) were studied.  Parameters investigated were vine length, number of leaves, leaf area and number of flowers.  The number of fruits, weight of fruits, number of seeds per fruit as well as the weight of these seeds were also considered.  There were significant differences in these parameters investigated between the melon seedling which had their cotyledons excised at the early stage of growth and those with intact cotyledons (control).  Our results demonstrate reduced growth, delayed blooming and fruiting as well as poor yield from these melon plants whose cotyledons were excised at the early stage of seedling growth.