Influence of fruit ripeness at the time of seed extraction on pepper (Capsicum annuum) seed germination

The influence of fruit ripeness (half ripe, fully ripe, overripe) at the time of seed extraction on seed germination behaviour, at 25 °C and 13 °C, was studied in two Spanish pepper cultivars for canning. Seeds from half ripe fruits had a poorer behaviour than those taken from fully ripe fruits, especially at 13 °C. Room ripening and overripening of half ripe fruits improved the germination behaviour of the seeds although this behaviour was poorer than that of seeds extracted from fully ripe fruits that were allowed to overripen. Overripening of fully ripe picked fruits slightly improved germination behaviour.