Efecto de la aplicación de dos inductores florales en el cultivo de sandía (Citrullus lanatus) en la finca experimental universitaria San Isidro, provincia del Guayas.

Abstract

Ethylene has been established as a crucial hormone in determining floral sex in cucurbits, promoting female flowering and reducing male flowers in species of the family such as cucumber, melon and zucchini; however, these effects are not manifested in watermelon. Recent research suggests that the action of ethylene is dependent on specific genes, with inconsistent responses reported in the case of watermelon. Meanwhile, gibberellin (GA3) effectively stimulates male floral development, and even more so under long days and high temperatures, playing an important role in sexual differentiation. In this study, both phytohormones were evaluated on watermelon flowering under a design that is considered completely randomized. The results show that ethylene produced little female flowering (1.18 per plant), contradictory to other crops. In addition, no reduction in male flowers was noted (4.71 per plant), suggesting a response that differs in watermelon. Gibberellin did indeed increase male flowers (5.71 per plant), responding in accordance with the literature. These findings suggest that watermelon responds differently to ethylene application, evidencing a complex hormonal regulation. However, the discrepancies could be linked to genetic or environmental factors, suggesting that further studies related to the action of hormones in watermelon cultivation are required.