Abstract
Abstract The effects of storage of pregerminated tomato seed (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv. Marglobe) at 0° and 5°C for 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 days in 4 gels or in moist cheesecloth on percentage emergence (PE) and emergence rate index (ERI) were examined. The PE and ERI values of freshly germinated (unstored) seeds were statistically equal and high in all gels and much greater than the values of dry seed. After 4 days storage, both PE and ERI were unaffected by storage temperature but were significantly affected by gels in order of emergence magnitude: Moist cheesecloth = Natrosol 250 HHR > Laponite 508 = SGP104K > Vittera II Hydrogel. With ≥ 8-day storage, storage temperature interacted with gels so that 0° compared to 5° storage gave greater PE and ERI in Natrosol 250 HHR and Laponite 508 but lower values in moist cheesecloth. Pregerminated tomato seed storage in Natrosol 250 HHR at 0° is an acceptable alternative to 5° moist storage providing, even after 12 days of storage, a distinctly higher PE and ERI than dry seed. To avoid unacceptably low emergence, chitted seed storage in Vittera II hydrogel should be avoided and storage in Laponite 508 or SGP104K should not exceed 4 days.
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