Participatory Evaluation of Seed Treatment Techniques to Improve Seed Quality and Yield in Tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum) at Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

The research was conducted using 8 seed treatments which include: 5% HCl, 10% HCl, 5% H₂SO₄, 10%H₂SO_4, Sodium Carbonate (5%), Wood Ash, Hot water treatment & fermentation at ‘Mante Gerera’ Kebele (Peasant Association) Sodo Zuriya woreda in Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia, in 2011 with the objectives to identify the best seed treatment technique that improves seed quality and subsequent yield in tomato and to disseminate knowledge and skill of seed treatment techniques for farmers and other stakeholders. The experiment was done under laboratory and field condition. The laboratory work focused on seed extraction, treatment and germination. Concerning seed quality, seeds treated with acids have shown better quality in terms of color. The best result was that of HCl treated ones. In case of germination, date of germination and percentage of germination showed statistically significant difference (p = 0.05) among treatments. The fast germination (2.33days) was observed in seeds treated with 10% HCl, 5% H₂SO₄ and hot water where as the most delayed one was wood ash treated seeds (4.17 days). The highest germination was obtained by seeds treated with 5% H₂SO₄ (96.67%) and the lowest (63.33%) was that of seeds treated with wood ash. Thus, it can be said that nearly 33% of seeds could be saved by treating seeds with acids. Statistical analysis showed non-significant difference among treatments in plant height. But branch number per plant has showed statistically significant difference (p = 0.05) among treatments. The highest branch number per plant (6.67) was recorded by hot water treatment followed by 5% H₂SO₄ (6.50). On the other side, the lowest average branch number per plant (4.78) was recorded by fermentation. The highest mean fruit diameter was observed in seeds treated with 10% HCl (39.2 mm) and 10% H₂SO₄ (38.17mm). Generally better results were observed in acid treatments than nonacid treated seeds. The highest value in fruit yield (516.42 qt/ha) was recorded by 10% H₂SO₄ followed by 5% HCl whose yield recorded was 478.40 qt/ha. The lowest yield (349.79 qt/ha) was recorded by wood ash treatment.  Therefore, it is advisable for seed business men to treat with HCl to fetch high market demand than local producers and nearly 33% of seeds could be saved by treating seeds with acids. Thus, it is advisable to treat tomato seeds with acids so as to improve its quality in terms of color, germination date and percentage. It can be generalized that tomato seeds treated with acids are the best in terms quality and fresh fruit yield.

Key words: Mante Gerera, Tomato, acids, wood ash, fermentation, seed extraction, quality, yield