EXTRACTION AND PROCESSING OF HUSK TOMATO SEED (Physalis ixocarpa Brot. ex Horm.)

Abstract

The husk tomato (Physalis ixocarpa Brot. ex Horm.) seed used in Mexico is generally of low physical, physiological and genetic quality. In order to produce seeds of high quality, it is necessary to have improved varieties and the appropriate technology for its production and processing. Two machines for seed extraction (electric mill and pulper) were compared in order to study their efficiency and effect on seed yield and quality of four improved husk tomato varieties (Diamante, Tecozautla 04, Gema and Manzano Tepetlixpa). The research was carried out at Chapingo, State of Mexico, from July to October 2013, with a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement, under a completely randomized experimental design with four replications. The seed of 1000 kg of fruit per experimental unit was extracted and processed. The total time of the extraction process, raw material (unprocessed seed) yield, dry seed weight classified by size (small, standard and large), moisture content of the raw material in three stages of the drying process and seed germination in four stages of the processing were evaluated. The lowest total processing time and highest seed yield were obtained with the pulper machine. With both machines the same physiological seed quality was obtained. The evaluated varieties produced seeds of similar physiological quality, but different seed yield. There was significant interaction between machines and varieties for yield of raw material, yield of processed seed as well as for germination.