Effects of season, time of fruit harvesting and after-ripening durations on the quality of ‘egusi’ melon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum and Nakai] seed

A study of the after-ripening of ‘egusi’ melon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsun and Nakai] fruits was undertaken at the Teaching and Research farm of the University of Agriculture Makurdi in the wet and dry season productions of 2005 and 2007. The aim was to monitor its effects on seed quality. Fruits were harvested at two leaf colour stages [i.e. when leaves started turning yellow (LTY), and when all leaves were dry (ALD)]. Whereas, some of the fruits were processed immediately, others were left to after-ripen for seven and 14 days respectively before processing. Results revealed that fruits from plants harvested when all plant leaves were dry (ALD) were significantly heavier, contained significantly more seeds and produced higher seed yield. Seed yield was generally higher in the wet than in the dry season. There was significant increase in 100-seed weight and germination of seeds from fruits afterripened for seven and 14 days. Seeds from after-ripened fruits also stored better than from non-after-ripened fruits. It was therefore concluded that Citrullus lanatus should be harvested when all leaves are dry, harvested fruits should be stored to afterripen for about seven days and seed crop should be preferably produced during the wet season.