Evaluation of the Physiological Potential of Tomato Seeds by Germination and Vigor Tests

This study was conducted to assess the efficacy of different vigor tests to evaluate physiological potential of tomato (Lycopersicon lycopersicum L.) seeds. Five seed lots of cultivars 'Debora Plus' and 'Bruna' were subjected to the standard germination, greenhouse seedling emergence, electrical conductivity, potassium leachate, accelerated aging, saturated salt accelerated aging and controlled deterioration tests. Results indicated that both accelerated aging procedures and controlled deterioration tests were the most efficient for evaluating tomato seed vigor, allowing the identification of different levels of seed quality. The potassium leachate test was a promising option primarily to identify tomato seed lots of lower physiological quality in a considerably reduced evaluation time. The electrical conductivity test was a less sensitive vigor test for tomato seeds since the evaluation of the release of electrolytes from the seeds was a less precise seed quality parameter. These results provide useful information regarding the assessment of tomato seed vigor and the identification of the saturated salt accelerated aging and potassium leachate tests as new alternatives in successful seed quality control programs.