Effect of Low Temperature Stress on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth and Development in Muskmelon

[Objective] The aim of research was to study low temperature stress on seed germination and seedling growth and development in muskmelon and find out the difference of adaptability of two muskmelon varieties to low temperature during the seedling stage.[Method] Three temperature grades including 30 ℃/20 ℃, 21 ℃/12 ℃ and 15 ℃/7 ℃ were set up to study the effect of different low-temperatures and their duration on seed germination and seedling growth and development in two muskmelon varieties of Zaojin and Elizabeth. [Result] After the muskmelons were treated at 15 ℃/8 ℃ for 10 d, the plant height, the area of total leaves, fresh weight of the part above ground and the part underground, root-shoot ratio and dry weight accumulation of Zaojin and Elizabeth were all significantly lower than that at 30 ℃/20 ℃ and 21 ℃/12 ℃, showing that the lower the temperature was, the more obvious the inhibitions on seedling growth in muskmelon was. All indices of Elizabeth were more excellent than that of Zaojin. [Conclusion] The seed germination of muskmelon need suitable temperature condition and the too higher or too lower temperature can effect the seed germination rate. The Elizabeth can take as the variety in off season cultivation.