Awhile back someone posted a problem with the inside of a pod and the seeds turning black. The following is my first response from NCSU Plant Pathology > > Byron, > > As far as I am aware, no direct cause has been found for this condition. > Attempts to isolate a causal microorganism have failed. Its occurrence > is probably related to some environmental factor which no one has yet > been able to pinpoint. I have seen what you describe very rarely. I'll > run this by our tomato breeder, Randy Gardner > > Paul > Byron