6.5 Seed quality

get plants with inferior characteristics is high. New seed must be bought and used for each crop.

Hybrid tomato varieties have many advantages compared to openpollinated varieties. Hybrids usually produce higher yields. They generally mature earlier and more uniformly. Many hybrids have better fruit quality and disease resistance. With all of these advantages, many farmers prefer to sow hybrid seeds in spite of the higher seed costs.

The demand for hybrid tomato seeds can open a new market for growers interested in seed production. This is good news, but hybrid tomato seed production is not easy. First, it requires much labour, especially during the time when crossing is done. Second, it requires the mastery of special skills and a close attention to detail. Hybrid seeds can also be bought from commercial seed companies. We recommend doing this, rather than trying to produce them yourself.

6.5 Seed quality

The quality of seed is crucial. If you have healthy seed, then your crop will be stronger than one grown from bad seed. It is better to have little seed of good quality than a lot of seed of bad quality. It is possible to recognise good quality seed. Unfortunately good quality is only confirmed once the seeds have germinated. However, it is easy to spot bad quality seed before germination takes place. Bad quality seed smells dusty, looks damaged, wrinkled or empty. You might see mould or insects, and the seeds will not all be the same size. You will usually just have to trust the quality of seed. There are ways to determine seed quality but they require precision work and time. One way to do this is to make 4 groups of 50 seeds each. Sow the seeds in 4 trays or in 4 marked plots. For the seeds to be considered good, at least a third of them should produce healthy plants.