Comportamiento productivo de hibridos F1 de tomate y sus poblaciones F2

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.