Yield and fruit quality of tomato hybrids heterozygous for ripening and color mutant alleles

Abstract

Seven nearly isogenic tomato hybrids, except for their genotypic constitutions in loci nor^A/nor, rin, og^c and hp, were tested for fruit yield and quality traits along the parental background lines FloraDade and Mosporist and two commercial rin⁺/rin tomato hybrids (Carmen F₁ and Chronos F₁). The role of the different genotypic backgrounds on these fruit traits was also studied. The genotypes were tested using a randomized complete block design with four replicates and ten plants per plot. The genotypic constitutions nor⁺/nor or rin⁺/rin had no effect on yield related traits. The genotype nor⁺/nor^A decreased fruit mass mean. Genotypes nor⁺/nor^A, nor⁺/nor and rin⁺/rin delayed the loss of fruit firmness and the development of color. The relative size of the peduncular scar was not affected by these genotypes. The constitution og^c+/og^c hp⁺/hp contributed for higher yield and higher fruit mass in the nor⁺/nor^A hybrid. Fruit firmness and external color in og^c+/og^c hp⁺/hp remained unaffected by nor⁺/nor^A. In og^c+/og^c hp⁺/hp fruit, early yield was reduced and shelf life was improved by nor⁺/nor^A. Genotypic backgrounds and the interaction background x ripening mutant genes must be taken into consideration when developing new tomato long-shelf life hybrids.