• The_v@lemmy.world
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      8 months ago

      Not even close.

      Seedless watermelons are a triploid. These are hybrid between a tetraploid female and a diplod male. The plant has three copies of every chromosome and is unable to produce fertile gametes aka completely sterile.

      Fruit formation is triggered by fertile diploid pollen (planted in the field In a 4:1 ratio). The fruit then continues to grow without embryo formation in the fruit seeds (pips).

        • dondelelcaro@lemmy.world
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          8 months ago

          This is a bit misleading. You only need to treat the first generation of 2n watermelon with colchicine (which inhibits the movement of chromosomes during metaphase) to produce a 4n watermelon. Once you have a 4n watermelon, subsequent generations do not require colchicine treatment.

        • Hadriscus@lemm.ee
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          8 months ago

          Not the person you replied to but thanks. Doesn’t that contradict the meme ?