In many countries, the traditional method of growing shallots from bulbs is replaced by direct seeding in the field or by planting seedlings. The availability of shallot seed with high parameters of the sowing value is an important condition for growing shallot in larger areas. It is possible thanks to the progress in breeding and introduction into cultivation of new cultivars that produce seed stalks and seed. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the sowing value of seed of the true-breeding cultivar ‘Toto’, when this seed is obtained by planting steckling bulbs (bulb-to-seed method) and by using the seed-to-seed method. This study, conducted in the period 2010–2012, was to evaluate some important characteristics of the seed quality obtained by planting different diameter bulbs (20–60 mm, 4 fractions every 10 mm) in autumn and spring and from seedlings planted in summer (third 10-day period of July and first and third 10-day period August). The quality of shallot seed was evaluated taking into account the following parameters: 1000 seed weight (TSW), germination energy and capacity as well as vigour tests (seedling growth test and seedling growth rate test). Shallot cultivation method had a large effect on 1000 seed weight, but it only slightly affected germination capacity and vigour of seed obtained. Larger seeds were obtained from bulbs, regardless of their planting time, compared to the cultivation method involving planting seedlings in summer. The diameter of bulbs used for planting at autumn planting time proved to be an important factor for TSW, germination energy and the traits determining seed vigour. In the case of this planting time, seed obtained from large bulbs with a diameter of 40–60 mm was distinguished by the best quality. The study did not show such a correlation for seed derived from spring bulb planting.

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