New Approach in Obtaining the Ideal Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) Seedling: Tebuconazole

Abstract

The study was conducted in March-May 2020 in greenhouse in Erzincan Horticultural Research Institute. Sahra F1 variety of watermelon (Citrulus lanatus) was used as plant material in the experiment. In this study, the effects of different doses (0, 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150 and 175 ppm) of Tebuconazole substance on the quality and development of watermelon seedlings were investigated. It was determined that different dose applications caused a significant change in seedling characteristics According to the data obtained, a average reduction of 38.45% and 17.81% was achieved in seedling length and stem length, respectively, compared to the control application. Also, the stem diameter increased in 3.03% after the applications. The all doses applications also provided an increase in leaf chlorophyll content (SPAD). In this study, applications of Tebuconazole at different doses were found to control the seedling height in watermelon and positively affected on specific quality characteristics of seedlings.