Abstract
Diploid seedless watermelons are presently produced by pollination with partially inactivated (soft X-ray irradiated) pollen. Bud pollination on the day preceding flowering was tested as a means of reducing labor in seedless watermelon production. The fruit set rates by pollination in the afternoon, as well as those on the day of flowering, were higher than those in the morning. There was no difference in fruit weight, fruit shape, rind thickness, soluble solids (Brix), flesh color, rind hardness, and number of empty seeds between the fruits resulting from bud pollinations and the fruits produced by pollination on the flowering date. These results were almost similar to those of partially inactivated pollen preserved for about one year. Our previously established seedless watermelon production method involved making the soft X-ray irradiated pollen, covering the female flower with a bag before flowering, artificial pollination, and covering the female flower after pollination. With bud pollination, the work involved in covering the female flower before flowering could be omitted, and since preserved inactivated pollen could be used, the total working hours were reduced by about 63.5%.
