Fungicidal Inhibition of Pollen Germination and Germ-tube Elongation in Muskmelon

Abstract

Four fungicides were evaluated for their effects on in vitro pollen germination of muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) cultivars TAM-Uvalde and Magnum 45. Cupric hydroxide, mancozeb, and chlorothalonil reduced the percentage of pollen that germinated and rate and length of germ-tube elongation, regardless of cultivar. Benomyl had very little overall effect on pollen germination or germ-tube elongation. With the effective pollination period of ≈ 10 to 14 days in commercial production, each day is critical for maximum crown set. Based on our results. some fungicides may be contributing to reduced fruit set in muskmelon.