Frost resistance of tomato seeds and the degree of naturalisation of Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. in Central Europe

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In this Subject: Botany
By this author: Ulf Schmitz

Author: Ulf Schmitz

Source: Flora, Volume 199, Number 6, November 2004 , pp. 476-480(5)

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Abstract:

Lycopersicon esculentum frequently occurs on Central European river banks and on ruderal sites as a non-native species. It is usually considered as a casual, which receives its seed supply only from waste and waste water. But field observations show an increasing abundance of plants managing to develop ripe fruits within the growing season. A germination experiment shows a degree of frost resistance of the produced tomato seeds which is sufficient to survive winter temperatures to a considerable extent. It appears therefore that with respect to habitat temperatures Lycopersicon esculentum progressively can naturalise in Central Europe so that it will become a regular agriophyte on natural and semi-natural habitats of European river banks.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1078/0367-2530-00176

Publication date: 2004-11-01