Nine seed lots in 2005 and ten in 2006 of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum
and Nakai), variety Crimson Sweet, were obtained from several commercial companies.
An initial laboratory germination test was conducted on four replicates of 50 seeds.
Seeds of each replicate were placed between three moistened 20 × 20 cm filter paper
(Filtrak, Germany) two below and one above which were wetted with 6 ml of distilled
water. These papers were then rolled up and placed in plastic bags in order to prevent
water loss. Germination tests were carried out at 25°C in the dark. Normal seedlings
were evaluated after 14 days. Seed moisture content was determined using the high oven
method in duplicate of four grams of seed sample (ISTA, 2003).