Effect of Harvesting Time on Quantitative and Qualitative Characteristics of Seed in Different Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) Cultivars

To determine the best harvesting time for obtaining maximum quantity and quality tomato seed, a split plot in time arrangement in randomized complete block design with three replications was carried out in Khorasan Razavi Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center, Mashhad, Iran in 2007 and 2008 growing seasons. Main plots were six tomato cultivars including; Mobil, Peto Early CH, Gina VF, Early Urbana, Kal. J. and Karoon. Sub-plots were harvesting time including; five harvestings from 27th July with a 15 days interval. Fruit yield, seed yield, seed extraction (%), hectoliter weight, purity (%), germination (%) and rate were measured and recorded. Analysis of variance showed that cultivars were significantly different for all traits except seed purity (%). Harvesting time and interaction of harvesting time × cultivar also were significant for all traits. The fourth harvesting time had the highest fruit yield, seed yield, seed purity (%), germination (%), germination rate. These traits increased in fourth harvesting time by 40.4%, 51.8%, 13.2%, 2.8%, 2.9% and 2.1%, respectively, as compared to maximum of these traits in the other harvesting times. The highest hectoliter weight obtained in third harvesting time with 5.7% greater than the other harvesting times. The best time for harvesting for seed production was the fourth harvesting time with Karoon cutlivar.