Crossing tomato plants.

Abstract

INTRODUCTIONThis protocol describes how to cross tomato plants. Crossing is important for the genetic analysis and breeding of tomatoes. Tomatoes are self-pollinating plants; thus, emasculation (removal of the anthers from the female parent) is essential. All wild tomato species can be crossed with cultivated tomatoes (although it may be difficult); this is useful because wild tomatoes are a great source of desirable traits. Most commercial tomatoes are F(1) hybrids, and the seeds for them were produced by crossing two parent tomatoes.