Yield and fruit quality of tomato hybrids heterozygous for ripening and color mutant alleles

Seven nearly isogenic tomato hybrids, except for their genotypic constitutions in loci nor(A)/nor, rin, og(c) and hp, were tested for fruit yield and quality traits along the parental background lines FloraDade and Mosporist and two commercial rin(+)/rin tomato hybrids (Carmen F-1 and Chronos F-1). The role of the different genotypic backgrounds on these fruit traits was also studied. The genotypes were tested using a randomized complete block design with four replicates and ten plants per plot. The genotypic constitutions nor(+)/nor or rin(+)/rin had no effect on yield related traits. The genotype nor(+)/nor(A) decreased fruit mass mean. Genotypes nor(+)/nor(A), nor(+)/nor and rin(+)/rin delayed the loss of fruit firmness and the development of color. The relative size of the peduncular sear was not affected by these genotypes. The constitution og(c+)/og(c) hp(+)/hp contributed for higher yield and higher fruit mass in the nor(+)/nor(A) hybrid. Fruit firmness and external color in og(c+)/og(c) hp(+)/hp remained unaffected by nor(+)/nor(A). In og(c+)/og(c) hp(+)/hp fruit, early yield was reduced and shelf life was improved by nor(+)/nor(A). Genotypic backgrounds and the interaction background x ripening mutant genes must be taken into consideration when developing new tomato long-shelf life hybrids.