ChileanJAR

The quality of 18 lots of tomato seeds, from eight cultivars, was evaluated, determining purity, weeds, germination and cultural value. Seeds from different seasons were provided by three commercial enterprises. Pure seed was high (99.96% to 98.24%), but other crop seeds and weeds were deteeted in five lots, one containing Johnson grass (Sorghum halepense). Germination ranged from 99.79% to 80.26%, showing the good tolerance of tomato seeds to long storage periods. Cultural values varied mainly due to germination differences. Only the lot contaminated by Johnson grass did not fulfill the legal market requirements.