PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF F1 TOMATO HYBRIDS AND THEIR F2 POPULATIONS

Abstract

Super-intensive tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) systems have been developed in México; these systems demand high quantities of seed. The seed of commercial tomato hybrids is expensive, and reduction of seed cost requires exploration of alternatives in those production systems. The productive performance of F₁ and its respective F₂ generations from diverse tomato varieties, was studied. Seven varieties (F₁) and their F₂ were grown in hydroponics under greenhouse conditions, using a 25 plants/m² density, pruned to one flower cluster per plant. Recorded variables were plant yield at first and second harvests, total plant yield, fruit number per plant at first and second harvests, total fruit number per plant, average fruit weight at first and second harvest, total average fruit weight, and ratio of firm fruits at 45 d after harvest as an indicator of shelf life. For total yield, six varieties did not significantly change its performance between generations. Fruit yield of the F₂ generation of ‘Badro’ was 57.3 % higher than the original variety F₁. Based on total yield per plant, it is possible to use the seed of the F₂ of ‘Sedona’, ‘Monte Verde’, ‘Badro’, ‘Charleston’ and ‘Lorena’ varieties, even though size and fruit number heterogeneity increases. For shelf life, only ‘Lorena’ showed differences between generations; its firm fruit ratio was lower in F₂ than in F₁. Hybrids ‘Monte Verde’ and ‘Caimán’ showed the most homogeneous performance between the two generations.