Citrullus colocynthis is a desert perennial vine with deep seed dormancy. Seeds have strong physical dormancy due to mechanical barrier of testa. Germination is highly sensitive to light, temperature, and seed maturation conditions. Dormancy can be broken through scarification or gibberellic acid treatment
Before sowing
Germination highly dependent on seed maturation conditions. Seeds require chemical scarification (H2SO4) or mechanical scarification. Storage for 2 years improved germination from 58.8% to improved percentages
Sowing
What to expect
Tips
Best results with chemical scarification (H2SO4 4.5h) or gibberellic acid (100 ppm) treatment. Germination is superior in continuous darkness at warm temperatures. Seeds collected from plants matured under warmer conditions show better germination. Avoid light exposure during germination. Seeds require warm temperatures (20-35°C) with higher temperatures producing faster germination
Sources: El-Keblawy et al. 2017, 2019; Saberi & Shahriari 2011; Sen & Bhandari 1974; Gharehmatrossian et al. 2014; Acta agriculturae Slovenica 2025
