ABSTRACT
Scientists from the tropical regions of Africa, Asia, and Latin America have identified the reasons tomato varieties grown in their areas are unadapted. Tomato breeders throughout the world share results and freely exchange seeds of potential parents. Seeds that are undamaged, have good germinating ability, and are free from mixture with other varieties and from seed-borne diseases can be supplied only with appropriate seed production technology. Seed production and distribution in the Philippines represents a typical system in a developing country Seed companies claim certain advantages for hybrids over common varieties such as better quality, higher productivity, better resistance to diseases, vigorous growth, better adaptability, and earlier maturity. Government institutions in developing countries are obliged to produce common varieties rather than hybrids because they need tomato seeds that farmers can reproduce themselves. There are four essentials for starting a commercial hybrid tomato seed operation: capital, technology, inexpensive labor, and appropriate climatic conditions.
