The tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.

) is a herbaccous perennial that is

usually grown as an annual crop. Wild forms of this species are known, as well as
eight other exclusively wild species of the genus. Althoughtthe natural
distribution of the wild species is restricted to the andean region, the site or site
or sites of domestication are far less cartain; most evidence favors southern
mexico (Rick, 1976). The tomato is the second most importan vegetable in dollar
value inthe united states and is highly popular elsewhere. It ranks at the top of
all fruits and vegetables as a source of vitamins and minerals in the U.S.
(Stevans, 19974). Because of its ease of culture, high reproductive rate, and
genetic uniformity resulting from autogamy, the tomato is amenable for
physiologycal and cytogenetic investigations.
Parental material
A great wealth of tomato germaplasm is available, consisting of modern and old
fashioned cultivars, primitive cultivars, breeding lines, wild forms of L.
Esculentum, and the exclusively wild species, large collections are maintained by
the north central plant introduction station of the U.S. departement of agriculture
at ames, lowa, and by the tomato genetics cooperative at the University of
California, Davis, Calif. The specialty of the collection at ames is cultivars and
breeding lines of Lines of L. esculentum and that at Davis is tomato species and
accessions of genetic and cytogenetic interest.
The wild tomato species play an important role in tomato improvement. Scores
of cultivars with desired characters derived from these species have already
been introduced, and further progress is anticipated from current breeding
projects utilizing such germaplasm.
All known wild species of Lycopersicon chessmanii, chilense, chmielewskii,
hirsutum, parviflorum, peruvianum, and pimpinellifolium can be hybridized with
L. Esculentum. Crosses also succed with Solanum lycopersicoides and S.
Pennellii, although hybrid sterility in combinations with the former has precluded
its exploination in breeding programs. The wild forms (var. cerasiforme) and
primitive cultivars of L. Esculentum also provide important germaplasm.
Most interspecific combinations produce viable seeds without special aids.
Crosses between L. Esculentum and the wild species fare better if l. Esculentum
is used as female parent. In combinations with the self-incompatible species,
(hongenboom, 1973) demonstrated that barrier is genetically independent of the
self-incompatibility reaction and proposed the term incongruity. Crosses with
typical L. Peruvianum stimulate normal fruit develompment, but have subnormal
or no embryo development. Smith (19944) demonstrated the sterile embryo
culture in a standard medium will permit development of hybrid seedlings, after
which special aids are not needed for further growth. Crosses with L. Chilense
also are facilitated by embryo culture, although occasional normal seeds develop
(Rick and Lamm, 1955). Hongenboom (1972) succededin selecting genotypes in
inbred L. Peruvianum that accept asculentum pollen and permit normal embryo
and seed development. Gunther (1964) accomplished the same objective by

syintesizing an escuilentum-peruvianum chimera that has peruvianum

sporogenous tissue and will cross as female parent with L esculentum.
Plant culture
1. Field
Tomato plants can be grown succesfully to flowering and fruiting under a wide
range of environmental conditions. It must be remembered, however, that, as
a native of the dry tropics of western South America, the tomato is a warm
season corp that does not tolerate excessively wet situations or prolonged
exposure to temperatures below 12 C. Plants intended for hybridization
should be given optimum cultural conditions. Field planting can be direct
seeded or transplanted, but plants should be spaced at least 1 m apart.
Although standard fertilization practices applied to most crops are
statisfactory, excessive applications of n can reduce fruit set if plants are
stressed by reduced light level or other environmental restrictions.
2. Growth chamber and greenhouse
Tomatoes are generally hibridized with greater succes in greenhouse or
growth chambers than in field because the former afford grether protection
from environmental extremes to the plants and workers. No special
precautions are necessary for growing tomatoes in such enclosures, except
that the sprawling habit of the plant requires some type of staking or
trellising.
Flowering is realtively independent of day length. Wittwer (1963) observed
earlier emergence of inflorescense with a photoperiod of 9 hours than one of
18 hours in a test of 15 cultivars, but the mean difference in first flowering
date was only 3 days. In contrast, Aung and Austin (1971) detected
somewhat earlier flowering in long-day treatments, but admit that the effects
might have been confounded with light level. In neither experiment did any
tested photoperiod completely inhibit flowering. Short days are mandatory,
however, for the flowering of certain wild tomato species a factor that must
be respected in interspecific hybridization. Once started, flowering continues
indefinetly unless the plant bears a heavy fruit load, hence the flowering of
contemporary plantings of male and female parents are naturally
synchronized. The tolerances of fruiting are more exacting than those of
flowering. Common causes of flower drop are low light level, mean night
temperatures below 13 C or above 21 C, and daytime maxima above 40 C,
particularly if reached suddenly after a cool period.