Hand BookOf

Hybrid tomato Seed Production

(A GUIDE TO SEED GROWERS AND PRODUCTION SUPERVISORS)

By RAKESH C MATHAD

MSc-Agri (seed science and technology)2008

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RANEBENNURPREFACE

India is the second largest producer of vegetables, with estimated 135 MT

from 6.5 MHa of land. This huge production can be achieved with the use of

improved seed and technology. India is having unique distinction of being a

major seed production hub of Asia. With the exception of some brassica seeds

most of vegetable seeds produced in India. In Karnataka some of the places like

Ranebennur, Koppal, Sira etc are producing seeds for more than 100

companies. The annual payment turnover is alone pegged at 150 crores in

Ranebennur and neighboring areas. The main reasons are the climate, irrigation

facilities, skilled labor and small land holdings make these areas favored

destinations for seed production. Presently in India Tomato is one of important

vegetable grown on an area of 4.85 lakh ha and 1.53 lakh ha (31 %) under

improved varieties or hybrids. Tomato seed production (TSP) offer not only

livelihood but also bring more returns on a small landholding. With just 10-20

guntas (half an acre) the B:C ratio is > 2.13. The TSP mainly in Karnataka mainly

in Haveri District. In India about 40 tonnes of tomato sold every year of which 10

tonnes exported.

The main aim of this book is to explain various aspects of seed production

and post harvest management. I tried to use my experience and my academic

learning to give a shape to this handbook. This book is aimed at seed

supervisors, seed organizers, students and seed growers. Being first such effort,

there could be some shortcomings for which valuable and informative

suggestions will be gratefully appreciated.

Rakesh C MathadAuthor

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1.1Floral Morphology: Tomato is self pollinated crop, with the bisexual flower

coalesced. The stamens are elongated forming a cone enclosing the pistil

and stigma. Base of the anthers are connected with bottom part of petals,

thus facilitating emasculation. Isolation is not a problem but still 15 meters is

advisable for commercial seed production. Fruit shapes vary with varieties

(Legend-1) like oblate, globe, plum, square, pear etc. Seed per fruit varies

with the shape of fruit though not a rule.

1.2Season: Tomato seed production can be taken in May-June and Nov-Dec. In

Ranebennur and other area tomato transplanted in Rabi or winter season.

And crop should be closed by Jan-15th (on Makara Sankranti).

1.3Male and Female Ratio: 1:5 or 1:3 depending upon the quantity of pollen in

male flowers.

1.4Staggering: sowing of male in nursery to be done 8-10 days before that to

sowing the female.

1.5Spacing: 60 inches between two beds and 15 inches between plants & rows

within the bed.

1.6Nursery: Seeds are sown in seed trays which are placed above the raised

seed bed. Seed are sown in sterile coco-peat (a byproduct of coconut).

Tomato seeds take 6-7 days to germinate and 20-22 days old seedlings are

ready for transplanting. In nursery the seedlings should be taken care both

nutrient wise as well as disease point. The nutrients mainly DAP @ 250

gms/100 trays (trays of 96 holes)+SSP @ 1 kg/100 trays applied with use of a

rose can once in 10 days ( Twice in the 20 days period). It is better not apply

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any nitrogen (especially in the form of Urea which make seedlings more

succulent. Fertilizer drenching is done in the morning and water should be

applied immediately to avoid burning. Foliar sprays like Nitrophoska @ 25gms

per tank is also useful. For disease control following chemicals can be

applied: Captan @ 1 gm / litre /25 trays, Confidor+kavach @ 10 ml / tank,

Antrcol @ 25 gm +Nuvan @ 5 ml /tank/ 25 trays can be sprayed. Since

nursery is done inside a insect proof net or green house disinfection with

Endosulfon @ 50 ml+ Ridomil MZ @ 5 gm/Litre help to control insect or soil

borne fungi.

1.7Transplanting: The 20-22 days old seedlings will be transplanted on the

raised seed beds formed in the main field. Evening is the best time for

transplanting. Treating seed lings with Trichoderma at the time of

transplanting helps in controlling root rot. Usually 750 male and 2000-2200

female plants are transplanted in an area of 10-15 guntas.

1.8Staking and pruning: Depending upon the plant type 2-3 shoots maintained.

It is better to leave only 2 main shoots to avoid self fruit problem in later crop

cycle. Lower leaves should be pruned off to avoid contact with the soil. All the

shoots are tied to a stake (wooden pole) or to metallic wire running parallel

above the rows.

1.9Pollination or crossing: In tomato crossing will be done at 45-55 DAS or 25-

35 DAT. The pollination duration varies with varieties from 10 to 35 days. In

some varieties after some days not fruit set take place and fruiting seizes

naturally. In crossing dusting of pollen on the emasculated flower buds done

in the morning 8 am to 1 or 2 p.m, After pollination one can remove 3 or 4

sepals just to mark as crossed bud. This will help in harvesting of crossed

buds and preventing mixing of Selfed fruits. For pollination one can use pollen

ring or glass pollen tube.

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1.10 Collection of male flower and pollen: Pluck the male bud which is likely

to open on next day, take out anthers, dry in partial shade for 4 hours. Collect

the pollen from anthers manually using a maslin cloth between 2 cups or use

occillary vibrating machine. Collect the pollen and store in plastic containers

in cool place or in a refrigerator at 4 C. Use pollen rings to dust the pollen on

stigma of female flowers.

1.11 Emasculation: sterilize the forceps or tweezers & hands with alcohol and

milk. Repeat this procedure after working on every 20 plants. Select only such

buds which are well developed likely to open next day but the corolla is in

creamy white color. With the help of forcep take out the stamen by leaving

petals intact with the bud. One can emasculate 5-7 buds per cluster and can

work 6-8 cluster per plant. Emasculation should be started from 2nd cluster.

Emasculation is done after pollination between 1 to 5 p.m. the emasculated

buds are ready for pollination by 24 hours which is characterized by petals

wide open, turns yellow which is an indication of stigma receptivity.

1.12 Harvesting: maturation of fruits starts at 20-30 after pollination and

harvesting can be done after 50-60 DAP. While picking the fruits one should

check the fruit is uniformly red from all sides and also look for the mark of

pollination (2-3 sepals). Such fruits are kept overnight and crushed without

using water.

1.13 Fermentation and washing: The crushed fruit along with pulp and juice

kept for fermentation for 24 hours. This will help to wash seed off the pulp

easily and also kill seed borne pathogen like bacterial canker. The seed and

pulp after fermentation get separated.

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The seed now washed in running water and dried by spreading a thin layer of

mesh for one day in shade and 2 days in mild sunlight during early morning and

late evening for 3 times each (Figure 1). Min. moisture to maintain is 6%. Always

use clean water for washing. Do not expose seeds to direct sunlight since it will

affect germination.

Figure 1 Above the ground drying on mesh

1.14 Yield: Depending upon the plant type yield may vary from 3-12 grams per

plant. The average seed yield parameters are as follows:

Average Fruits / plant Average Seeds / fruit Seed yield / plant-gms

15 to 30 80-150 3-12

Yield Estimation/plant: (in gms): No. of Fruits per plant X No of seeds per fruit

No of seeds in gm of seed

Yield Estimation/plot: (in kgs): Seed Yield per plant (in gms) X No of plts per plot

1000

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1.15 After care: After seed washing and drying seeds to be cleaned manually

and using screen to remove chaffy material, light seed and black seed.

(Figure-2 and 3)

Figure 2 Seed cleaning using screen

Figure 3 Hand cleaning of seeds

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1.16 Wet Seed Treatment: after cleaning the seed wet treatment with Tri

Sodium Phosphate (TSP) 10 % ( for 2 Hr)-Rinse-wash-Calcium Hypochlorite

0.96% (for 15 min)-Rinse-wash-Dry is done to avoid any seed borne

pathogen. TSP treatment is effective against virus and Ca-Hypochlorite

against Bacteria. Seed is then washed with clean water ( Figure-4 & 5)

Figure 4 Rinsing of seed in TSP and Ca-Hypochlorite

Figure 5 Wet Seed Treatment Assembly

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TSP

Ca-Hypo

CLEAN WATER

WASHING MACHINE TO

REMOVE EXCESS WATER

1.17 Purity Management in Seed Production: Purity mainly refers to genetic

purity and quality refers to germination. Genetic purity of a seed lot may get

decreased when 1) there are off types present in male and female lines

2)due to imperfect emasculation or emasculation of matured buds (late

emasculation) 3) presence of un-crossed or Selfed fruits and 4) mechanical

admixtures due to improper storage.

Off types in male and female lines can be removed by roguing which should

begin at nursery level. Roguing at nursery level has to be done based on the

foliage colour and stem colour. After transplanting after first fruit set-check each

and every plant in both male and female lines for offtypes (Figure-6, 6a & 6b).

Check for foliage colour, foliage shape (bushy plants), canopy , plant height, fruit

shoulder colour and shape, for fruit peduncle jointed or joint less, zippered fruits

etc.

Figure 6 Roguing Operation

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Bushy Plants

Tru To Type Plants

Self Fruits

6a 6b

The selection of bud for emasculation is another area where care has to

be taken. The correct stage of bud selection is silver colour which is an indication

of optimum receptivity of the stigma.

Mechanical admixtures are an aspect which should be avoided by:

1. No grower should have two hybrid seed production plots of same crop in the

same window. Allot plot with min. interval of 45 days.

2. The place of seed extraction, washing and drying should be poles apart.

3. After the seed is extracted, washed and dried it should be stored clearely

mentioning the hybrid code and other details both inside and outside (Figure

7a & 7b)

1.18 Quality Management in Seed Production: Quality with respect to

germination is very important since there is possibility of decreasing

germination due to following factors and one should take care to avoid these

factors.

Keeping the seed submerged for more time in the water. Seed should not

be kept submerged for >1 hour.

Drying the seed in thick layers.

Crushing the semi-ripen or green fruits while seed extraction.

Direct exposure of seed to strong sunlight.

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7 a 7b

Storage of seed with high moisture (>8.0%)

Not retaining good nutrient practices till maturation.

Keeping the fruits in heap or covered with polythene sheets.

Using dirty water for washing.

Crushing diseased, bird effected or fruits affected with nutrient disorder

(e.g.: Ca deficiency) fruits while seed extraction.(Figure 8a, 8b & 8c).

1.19 Fertilizer Management: Some of the fertilizer recommendations (in Kgs)

are:

Before Transplanting: 30 kgs of N, 100 kgs of P and 60 kgs of K

25 days after transplanting:20 kgs of N, 15 kgs of K (apply as ring )

45 days after transplanting:15 kgs of N, 15 kgs of K

A week after crossing: 16 kgs of N, 10 kgs K

Also foliar sprays like Multi-K or Nitrophoska at 10 days interval help in

maintaining good canopy and thereby more photosynthesis and seed filling.

1.20 Water Management: In case of tomato seedlings should be transplanted

on the seed bed (120 cm) with irrigation channels (30 cm deep) in between.

Do not allow water logging. Irrigation should be given with regular intervals

once in 3-4 days till its maturation. Seedlings should be planted on irrigated

surface and later make seed beds as mentioned above.

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8a 8b 8c

1.21 Disease and pest management: In seed production never start spraying

chemicals when disease and pests occurs. Make a prophylactic spray

schedule and spray accordingly anticipating the pest and disease infestation.

One e.g. of spray schedule is as follows:

Stage of Application

Chemical and Dosage

Nursery Bed Add 100 gms Thimet 10G

Drench the bed with Captan @ 3gms/bed

After Sowing drench seedlings with Carbendazim

50%WP @ 2gms/lt

To contol soil borne insects spray Carbaryl @ 2gms/lt

Cotyledon Stage Spray with Cu-oxy chloride 50% WP @ 2gms/lt or Hostathion

@ 2 ml/lt

True Leaf Stage Dip seedlings in Monocrotophos 36% EC @ 1.5 ml/lt

5 DAT Spray Mancozeb 75% WP @ 2g/lt+Carbaryl @ 2g/lt

12 DAT Spray Chlorothalanil 50%WP @ 2gm+Imida17.8%SL @ 0.5m/

18 DAT Spray Cu-oxy chloride 50% WP @ 4g+Phosalane @ 2ml/lt

25 DAT Spray Imida17.8%SL @ 0.5ml+hexaconozole @ 0.5 ml/lt

32 DAT Spray Quinolphos @ 3ml/lt

40 DAT Spray Acephate @ 1.5g+Mancozeb & Carbandenzim 3g/lt

50 DAT Spray Streptocycline @ 2g+Cypermithrin10 EC @ 1ml+Neem

based insecticide @ 3ml/lt

60 DAT Spray Triadimelon @ 1g+KNOL3 @1.5 g/lt

60 DAT Spray Triazophos+ Deltamethrin @1.5 ml/lt

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Some of Common Diseases and Pests of Tomato:

Pests / Diseases ContolPests:

Thrips/Aphids/

Whitefly

Spray Imida17.8%SL @ 0.5ml/lt / Acephate 75% WP /

Monocrotophos 36% EC

Leaf Miner Profenophos 40%+Cypermethrin 4%EC @ 1ml/lt

Mites Abamectin 1.9 % EC @ 0.5 ml/lt / Sulfer 80% WP @ 2gm/lt

Fruit Borer Spray Quinolphos 25% EC+Cypermithrin10 EC @

1ml+Neem based insecticide @ 3ml/lt

Diseases:Damping off Drenching with Carbandenzim 3g/lt

Early Blight Spray Mancozeb & Carbandenzim 3g/lt / Chlorothalanil

50%WP @ 2gm

Late Blight Spray Metalaxyl 8%+ Mancozeb 64%WP @ 2 gm /lt

Powdery Mildew Dinocap 48%EC 1ml or Triademefon 25% WP @ 0.3gm/Lt

Fusarium Wilt Spray Cu-oxy chloride 50% WP or Fosetyl AL 80% +

Carbandenzim 1g each /lt.

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