Seed longevity characteristics of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) genotypes stored with different packaging materials under ambient tropical humid conditions

Abstract

Tomato seeds have a high commercial value, and the loss of seed physiological quality over time is demonstrated by their low storability unless hermetic conditions are used. This study aimed to store and preserve seed quality under ambient conditions using different packaging materials such as plastic bottles, glass bottles, paper envelope, earthen pot, polyethylene bag, galvanized iron tin. Freshly harvested seeds of four tomato genotypes were packed inside different containers and then sealed and stored for eight months under ambient humid tropical conditions. Data collected were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and means were separated using Tukey’s HSD test at 5 % probability level. The result revealed that envelope and earthen pot were not ideal for tomato seed storage for long time, because seed stored in air tight containers maintained desired seed quality than non- airtight packaging materials. Glass bottle was identified as the best packaging material in maintaining seed quality of tomato throughout the storage period. Tomato seeds could be stored up to between 120 and 180 days under ambient conditions, depending on genotype and storage medium of the seed lot.

Keywords

• seed deterioration
• seed quality
• storage life
• storage container