## 3 Results and Discussion  
The germination rate of tomato seeds is a critical factor that influences the success of the crop establishment, yield potential, and resource efficiency. A high germination rate ensures a uniform seedling emergence, leading to synchronized plant growth and development, which is essential for optimizing productivity. It minimizes the need for overseeding, reducing input costs and maximizing the efficient use of water, nutrients, and space. Additionally, fast and consistent germination helps seedlings avoid stress and vulnerability to diseases or pests, contributing to healthier and more robust plants. Therefore, improving germination rates is vital for enhancing the overall performance and profitability of tomato cultivation [20; 21]. The germination rate of tomato seeds increased with both the germination time and the energy applied. In the control samples, the germination rate rose from 0.00 \(\pm\) 0.00% on the second day to 57.78 \(\pm\) 1.92% on the seventh day. In comparison, the highest germination rate for PEF-treated tomato seeds increased from 3.33 \(\pm\) 0.33% at 6.80 J on the second day to 72.81 \(\pm\) 3.85% at 15.36 J on the seventh day (\(p\leq\) 0.05). PEF treatments applied at 1.36, 3.21, 5.76, 6.48, and 15.36 J provided a significant increase in the germination rate of the tomato seeds at the seventh day (\(p\leq\) 0.05) (Table 2). While germination is an important criterion in terms of seed strength, the normal seedling ratio of germinated seeds is also important. The normal seedling rate is a crucial parameter for evaluating the quality and viability of tomato seeds, as it directly impacts the successful establishment of healthy plants. A higher rate of normal seedlings indicates that the majority of seeds can develop into robust, well-structured plants capable of achieving optimal growth and productivity. This is particularly important in tomato cultivation, where uniformity in seedling vigor can lead to synchronized flowering, fruiting, and harvest times, thus improving the overall crop management and yield. Additionally, a higher normal seedling rate reduces the need for reseeding and minimizes input costs, ensuring the efficient use of resources such as water, nutrients, and space. Therefore, maintaining a high normal seedling rate is vital for maximizing the economic and agronomic success of tomato production [22; 23; 24]. The normal seedling rate of the tomato seeds was \(73.20\,\pm\,3.67\%\), and this number ranged from \(80.43\,\pm\,1.74\%\) for \(1.07\,\mathrm{J}\) to \(94.62\,\pm\,0.45\%\) for \(17.28\,\mathrm{J}\), revealing a significant increase by all PEF treatments (\(p\leq 0.05\)) (Table 3). In practical terms, such increases in seed performance can have meaningful impacts on the crop establishment and overall productivity, especially under suboptimal conditions such as salinity or cold stress. Improved germination ensures a more uniform and timely emergence of seedlings, which is essential for synchronized growth and effective crop management in mechanized agricultural systems. From a grower's perspective, a 10-15% increase in germination and seedling vigor can reduce the need for replanting, lower input costs (such as seeds, water, and fertilizers), and enhance the use efficiency of the available arable land. This is particularly critical in stress-prone environments, where abiotic factors often compromise the crop stand and reduce the yield potential. Moreover, early seedling vigor is often associated with an improved nutrient and water uptake efficiency, which can influence downstream developmental stages, including the flowering, fruit set, and final yield.