Effect of fruit picking, extraction and drying on seed dormancy and storability in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Abstract

High per cent of seed dormancy was recorded with parents of Pusa Hybrid-4 (Pusa Selection 120 X Chikoo) under green house (9) compared to open field condition (6). Red ripe stage picking recorded more seed dormancy (8%) compared to turning stage (7%). High percentage of dormancy was observed with fermentation (8) followed by manual crushing and extraction (7) and acid method recorded lower seed dormancy (6). Even after twelve months of storage, manual crushing and extraction reported more dormancy (3%) compared to other extraction methods (2%). Sun drying recorded high percentage of dormancy (9) compared to shade drying. Among combinations, more seed dormancy was observed with red ripe stage and manual crushing (S1E1), red ripe stage and sun drying (S1D1) and fermentation and sun drying (E2D1). High seed dormancy was observed with combinations of red ripe stage either with manual crushing (green house) or fermentation method (open field) followed by sun drying.