Seed production in Tomato
Botany of tomato
Tomato is a typical day neutral plant
It requires temperature of 15‑20° C for fruit setting
Tomato is self pollinated crop
Self fertilization is favoured by the position of receptive stigma within the cone anthers and the normal pendant position of the flower
Method of seed production
Seed to Seed
Stages of seed production
1st stage – Breeder seed
2nd stage – Foundation Seed I
3rd stage – Foundation Seed II
4th stage – Certified Seed
You may also like to read our article on tomato cultivation
Isolation requirement
Tomato is predominantly a self-pollinated crop but crossing does takes place to a negligible extent.
Seed fields should be isolated from other varieties of tomato by at least 50 and 25m for foundation and certified seed production respectively
Seed source
Seed sources should be approved by appropriate Seed certification agency
Seed rate
Seed Rate used is 500 g per hectare
Best season to grow nursery
Seedling grown in nursery in late October and transplanted in the first week of December
Size of nursery beds
Size of bursery beds for growing seedlings is as follows-
2 to 2.5 m breadth x 1 to 1.25 m length x 15-20 cm height
Beds are 5 to 10 cms apart from each other
Transplanting time of seedlings
Transplant the seedlings when 7.5 – 10 cm height, preferably at evening time
Spacing
Spacing to be followed while transplanting into field
75 x 40 – 50 cm
Field Inspection
Seed crop should be inspected at least three times during the crop season
1. first before flowering
2. second during flowering and fruiting stage and
3. third at mature fruit stage prior to harvesting
Rouging
Observe sach individual plant for checking if it differs in morphological characters
Remove that plant which is found to differ in morphological characters to avoid cross pollination by chance
Also check for diseased plants and remove them as and when found
At maturity, check for fruits and flower colour and remove those off types which differ from desired results
Harvesting
Fruits on turning to ripe red, red and over ripe stages are found to be good for extracting good quality seed
Seed Extraction
Tomato seed can be extracted manually using acid or fermentation methods or mechanically method using axial – flow vegetable seed extraction methods
Seed Yield
100 – 120 kgs/ha
Seed Drying
Seed should be dried by spreading in thin layer on the drying floor
If the temperature exceeds 40 degree C the seed drying shpuld be done under partial shade
Under artificial conditions the seed should be first dried at low temperature and then the temperature should be gradually increased to 40 degree C
Seed moisture level for drying
The seed should be dried to a moisture level of 6-8%
Packaging of seeds
Seeds are packed in cloth bags or moisture proof containers and kept it in cool and dry place
Viability of seeds
Careful and properly dried seed can retain its viability for 2-3 years even under ambient conditions⁸
Hybrid Seed Production in Tomatoes
Process
For hybrid seed production hand emasculation and pollination is carried out.
The male and female parents are sown in separate blocks
For hybrid seed production, the female and male parents are normally planted in the ratio of 12:1 or 12:2
During flowering period buds that are to flower next day are selected in female parent and hand emasculated
After emasculation the flower buds are covered with butter paper bag to avoid pollination or fertilization with foreign pollens
Isolation distance
The isolation distance required are 200 and 100 m for foundation and certified seed class respectively from other varieties and hybrids.
Field Inspection
The number of field inspections required are four
1. The first field inspection should be done before flowering stage
2. second and third during flowering stage and
3 fourth one before harvesting
Roguing
Roguing should be done in both male and female parental line before starting the crossing program
Offtypes can be identified based on morphological characters like leaf shape, plant type, flower color etc.
Harvesting
Harvesting should be done when the fruits are fully mature
Harvest only the crossed fruits and the seed should be extracted manually using acid or fermentation methods or mechanically method using axial – flow vegetable seed extraction methods
Seed standards for variety and hybrid
