The objective of this study was to compare different methods for vigour evaluation of tomato seeds. Four seed lots of the Santa Clara cultivar were evaluated by the following tests: standard germination, first count of germination test, cool germination, accelerated aging, controlled deterioration and seedling emergence in soil. It was concluded that the accelerated aging and the first count of germination tests were not efficient in detecting differences among vigour levels of seed lots seed lot vigor levels. The cool germination and seedling emergence in soil tests identified seed lots of with high and low vigour levels. Similar classification in vigour levels were was obtained by the controlled deterioration test conducted at 41ºC for 48h and 24% seed moisture content.
tomato; seed; vigour
