Treatment and preservation of tomato seeds to maintain quality and reduce microbial contamination

ABSTRACT:

Preserving seed quality during and after storage is one of the main challenges of the seed industry. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of fungicide treatment on the health and physiological quality of tomato seeds (cv. Santa Clara) under different storage conditions. A homogeneous seed sample was divided into two lots: one treated with the fungicide Iprodiona (Rovral® SC) and the other untreated. Both were dried and stored in three types of packaging (plastic, paper, and aluminum foil), in two environments (natural ambient conditions and cold storage), over five storage periods (0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months), in a 5×3×2×2 factorial design. Statistical analysis was carried out using a mixed model through the lme4 package of the R software. The results showed that seed quality was affected by the storage environment, the type of packaging, and the treatment. Cold storage with the use of aluminum foil packets preserved germination above 80% for up to 12 months. The fungicide treatment was effective in controlling Alternaria alternata and Penicillium, promoting greater vigor and enabling storage for up to 12 months in plastic containers. In contrast, paper and plastic packaging exposed to the ambient conditions led to moisture absorption, reducing seed viability, particularly in untreated seeds.

Index terms:
Solanum lycopersicum L.; seed storage; seed treatment; seed longevity