Crossing Questions

[Dunkel]

Is color at all predictable when crossing two different color tomatoes? Like if you were to cross a pink variety with a yelow variety would you end up with a plant that throws orange tomatoes? Or pink with yellow streaking?
Does male or female provide more toward the overall color?

Does the female of the cross provide a lion's share of the genetic make up or would it be more like 50/50?

Does male or female dictate size of fruit?

Can you tell I know very little about tomato crossing? Allow me Now no one needs to do it to me! LOL

[travis]

"Does the female of the cross provide a lion's share of the genetic make up or would it be more like 50/50?" [Dunkel]

Hey, Doug, unlike a human marriage, with tomatoes the relationship is more perfect with regard to give and take. HA!

"Does male or female dictate size of fruit?" [Dunkel]

My general understanding (limited as it is) is that male tomatoes insist that size doesn't matter, and female tomatoes are more likely to augment size and shape or iron out wrinkles with injections of water.

PV

[Dunkel]

Papa Vic catch LOL Thanks for the smart burro response. Now no serious response will come due to everyone thinking my questions have been answered! LOL

[Raymondo]

Is color at all predictable when crossing two different color tomatoes?

Yes, for the single colours. Note that colour comes from both flesh and skin. Eg, red flesh + clear skin = pink tom, red flesh + yellow skin = red tom.

if you were to cross a pink variety with a yelow variety would you end up with a plant that throws orange tomatoes?

The first generation would most likely be pink, provided the yellow had clear skin. If it had yellow skin, the first generation would be red. This would happen regardless of which parent was pink and which yellow. It's after that that various combinations may come up. Orange? I doubt it. Bi-color? I haven't a clue.

Does the female of the cross provide a lion's share of the genetic make up or would it be more like 50/50?

The female contributes slightly more, but to all intents and purposes, we can consider it a 50/50 deal.

[Dunkel]

Thanks for answering Raymondo!

[carolyn137]

And interestingly enough, small size is partially dominant to large sized fruits.

Carolyn