Effects of fruit cooling, picking frequency and time of harvest on seed quality of eight varieties in organic tomato seed production

Summary

Seed production of eight tomato genotypes was investigated using two different harvest treatments:regularly (twice a week)or only every three weeks. Seeds were extracted at three different time points.
Harvest of tomato fruits for seed production can be done regularly-also alongside a production for fruits, or can be done every three weeks and extracted after exclusion of fruits bearing disease symptoms.
Regular picking of fruits slightly enhances fruit yield and therefore seed yield. Fruits can be cool-stored for a pooled extraction-and less work-without negative impact on germination rate.Seeds harvested early in the season tend to have a lower germination rate.