Ways To Prevent Premature Germination of Greenhouse Tomato Seeds

In a recent e-Gro Alert, W. Garrett Owen of Ohio State University examines the common problem of vivipary (the premature germination of seeds) in greenhouse tomatoes, including its causes, contributing factors, and practical steps to reduce its likelihood in your growing operation.

How It Occurs in Tomatoes

According to Owen, vivipary “occurs when tomato seeds break dormancy and begin to germinate while still inside the fruit.” This process can be observed when cutting open a tomato, which displays a “radicle emergence from seeds within the locular cavity.” The internal environment of a tomato is very supportive of rapid seed germination, but, under normal circumstances, the seeds remain dormant due to hormonal regulation.

Common Triggers

According to Owen, vivipary in greenhouse tomatoes is most commonly associated with conditions from “fruit that remain on the vine beyond the optimal harvest stage,” due to challenges such as delayed harvest intervals and labor shortages. This often leads to the crop becoming overmature, which increases the likelihood of vivipary.

Vivipary is a physiological disorder and is therefore not caused by greenhouse diseases or pests. Additionally, Owen stresses the importance of not correlating the conditions of vivipary (germinating seeds within intact tissue) with internal decay (tissue breakdown, discoloration, fungal growth).

Tips to Avoid Vivipary

Management in greenhouse tomatoes is primarily preventative and with a focus on ” harvest discipline and postharvest handling.” If vivipary is observed through tests, harvest intervals should be tightened to expedite the amount of time tomatoes are left on the vine while fully mature. As for postharvest measures, Owen suggests that growers “avoid storing fruit at temperatures low enough to induce chilling injury” and to “keep handling practices consistent” to keep cold exposure to a minimum.

To read the article in its entirety, continue at CEAgWorld.com.