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Hybrid vigour in cultivated tomatoes

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Summary

  1. 1.

    An historical account is given of the theoretical aspects and practical use of hybrid vigour in tomatoes. Methods of producing hybrid seed in England are described, and the experimental results of outdoor trials with new hybrids at this Institution from 1940 to 1949 are given in detail.

  2. 2.

    Tests of crosses between Lycopersicum esculentum and L. pimpinellifolium had earlier given good heterosis, but fruits did not reach required commercial standards. Numerous crosses were now made between commercial varieties, and the best F1 hybrids were selected out each year. These were re-tested the following year, together with fresh hybrids. The consistently high yielders eventually were sifted out in this way.

  3. 3.

    Hybrid yields were measured as early (E), ripe (R) and total (T) crop weights, and compared against those for standard varieties. The inter-relations of E, R and T were analysed in commercial varieties and hybrids.

  4. 4.

    Various practical effects of heterosis in tomatoes were investigated. Heterosis has its main economic value in the increased early cropping, and hybrids have somewhat more stable yields than commercial varieties under varying environmental conditions

  5. 4.

    The history and method of production are given for two new F1 hybrids, Hertford Cross and Ware Cross.

Samenvatting

Een historisch overzicht is gegeven van de theoretische aspecten en het practisch gebruik van heterosis bij tomaten. De in Engeland toegepaste methoden bij de productie van hybride-zaad worden beschreven en de resultaten van proefnemingen in de volle grond met nieuwe hybriden van het John Innes Horticultural Institution over de jaren 1940 tot 1949 worden in extenso vermeld.

Proefnemingen met kruisingen tussen L. esculentum en L. pimpinellifolium hadden reeds eerder een goed heterosis-effect gesorteerd, maar de vruchten bleven onder de gewenste maat. Daarom werden vele kruisingen gemaakt tussen de verschillende cultuurrassen van L. esculentum en ieder jaar werden de beste F1-hybriden uitgekozen. Deze hybriden werden het volgend jaar opnieuw beproefd, in vergelijking met enkele standaardrassen en nieuwe hybriden. Op deze wijze werden hybriden geselecteerd, welke een blijvend hogere opbrengst gaven.

Bij de beoordeling van de hybriden is rekening gehouden met de vroegheid (E), de rijpheid (R) en de totale opbrengst (T), in vergelijking met die der standaardrassen. De correlaties tussen de E-, R- en T-waarden werden bepaald bij cultuurrassen en hun hybriden.

Verschillende practische aspecten van heterosis bij tomaten werden onderzocht. De voornaamste betekenis van heterosis is gelegen in een vroegere productie, terwijl de hybriden bovendien een iets grotere oogstzekerheid vertonen onder wisselende uitwendige omstandigheden.

Tenslotte is het ontstaan en de wijze van productie van het kruisingszaad van de twee nieuwe hybriden Hertford Cross en Ware Cross vermeld.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. John Innes Horticultural Institution, Hertford, England

    Gordon Haskell & A. Gavin Brown

Authors
  1. Gordon Haskell
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  2. A. Gavin Brown
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Haskell, G., Brown, A.G. Hybrid vigour in cultivated tomatoes. Euphytica 4, 147–162 (1955). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00039640

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00039640

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