Factors Affecting Crossing Over in the Tomato

Abstract

An experimental technique utilizing two seedling mutants permitted an extensive survey, involving over 129,000 observations, of environmental and genetic factors affecting crossover frequency in the tomato. A significant decrease in crossing over associated with aging was demonstrated for a plant pruned to bear fruit clusters only on the main stem. Aging appeared to be the main cause of significant differences in crossing over detected between data collected for different branches on an unpruned plant.