Effect of Seed Orientation on Parameters of the Oilseed Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum and Nakai

Almost produce in different growing areas in Côte d'Ivoire, oilseed Citrullus lanatus constitutes an important source of income and survival for producers. But its traditional practice declines the production of this cucurbit. Heterogeneity of seeds germination after sowing provoked by an unsuitable seed orientation justifies such level of production. In order to find a sustainable solution, some experiences were undertaken in five blocks to test five orientations of seeds: horizontal orientation with the seed on the flattened face (HF), horizontal orientation with the seed on the side (HS), vertical orientation with the end of the seed bearing the embryo down (VD), vertical orientation with the end of the seed bearing the embryo upwards (VU) and any orientation of the seed (Control). The results of the statistical analysis indicated that the parameters tested had been boosted by seeds orientations. Most of those parameters recorded their best values in a horizontal position with the seed on the flattened face. A suitable position of embryo or seed micropyle and an easier circulation of auxin supported this result. Thus, to improve the production of this plant through uniform germination of seeds, it has been recommended to producers mainly women to sow their seeds in a horizontal position with the seed on the flattened face.