Parameters of Physical and Physiological Quality in Seed Produced during High Season for Different Periods of Development

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the quality of the seeds of tomato fruits (Solanum lycopersicum Mill.) produced in high temperture (HT) during different phases of development. Design/Methodology/Approach: Seeds of the Moneymaker variety were planted in a ventilated greenhouse (control treatment, CT) with maximum mean temperature (MMT) of 31.5 °C. A second greenhouse with artificial heating (MMT of 36.5 ºC) was used for the HT treatments. When anthesis began from the fourth floral cluster, seven treatments were established: T1) fruits growing permanently in the CT; T2) fruits transferred to HT between five and 12 days after anthesis (daa); T3) fruits growing in HT from 12 to 24 daa; T4) 24-36 daa in HT; T5) 36-48 daa in HT; T6) 48-60 daa in HT; T7) from 60 daa to maturity in HT. Results: The weight of one thousand seeds (SW) had a positive correlation with the length of seed (R=0.83*), indicating that the increase in SW was primarily determined by an increase in length. The vigor of the seed was measured by the germination after accelerated ageing (GAA); thus, germination and vigor are positively correlated with seed respiration during germination (0.62* and 0.81*, respectively). Study Limitations/Implications: HT impacting on the second phase of seed development could decrease both the physical and the physiological quality of tomato seeds. Findings/Conclusions: The seeds produced by T7 had lower SW (2.99 g). T5 caused lower amount of seeds per fruit (120), germination (79.4 %) and GAA (39.5 %).