Quote:
Originally Posted by FLRedHeart
Yes, the temperature was probably determined by trial and error more than
anything else, just giving seeds thermal treatments to just before a serious
viability issue developed.
It may be overwhelmingly effective for most problems. But take for example,
Tomato Mosaic Virus. For that one the recommended treatment is for a longer
period of time @ 158 F under dry conditions. Different thermal situation.
Heat treatments done properly I've heard is not supposed to have a negative
effect on the growth of the plant. I'm sure there are studies on this, but I
never read any. In our situation, though, when we swap seeds or deal with
small outfits, frequently old seed shows up. I suspect there is a negative
effect on the eventual plant or yield, but again, these are impressions and
really would need to be proven by experiment. Plus as long as the variety
produces we then start over with our fresh home-grown seeds next time,
so I consider it the cost of getting a new free variety.  |
TMV ?????? treatment attempt at 158f/ 70C for longer than ?????
this was sort of the answer to my question and musing .........
So ...if one has an inexpensive thermos and a good thermometer one could set the
regular hot water bath compensation a few degrees above the recommended 122f/50C @ 25 minutes and the temp would slowly fall a degree or 2 in that time (still with in recommended min . Temp)........seems like I do not need a $1500.00 piece of lab equipment to have a successful small time Hot water bath treatment .
To continue this direction..
I can imagine a world where on occasion one can not find a certain variety of Tomato seeds ...
One scours the internet ......searches all the Best reputation seed houses and source
and is not able to obtain seeds.
at some point if one is adamant about obtaining the variety .......they may have to either
obtain the rare/hard to find from Swaps or other untried even dubious sources .
If one then can get the "non pedigree" source to grow successful fruit of the rare /hard to find for seed.......
I would say there is a better than even chance there is disease seen and unseen in these
rare sourced seeds .......
so... I can imagine a world that on first successful production of "in house " seeds/fruit one could upgrade the seeds by lessening the "disease load" by Hot water treatment for next generation.
But again this is a big hassle for home Tomato hobbyist gardeners and is about upgrading / saving / reclaiming your rare "in house" seed source so they have a better start with less disease load.
Again I Totally agree with Carolyn .....if you can get the new seeds from a good trusted source/ seed house in the first place then do yourself a favour and do that.