PRODUCTION OF TOMATO HYBRIDS FOR LOW TUNNEL PRODUCTION

Abstract

This study was conducted in the research facilities of the Horticulture Research Institute during the period from 1997 to 2000 to : (a) produce and evaluate some local F 1 tomato hybrids suitable for planting under low tunnels during winter seasons and (b) study the inheritance of some tomato fruit quality characters. Crosses and transplant production were carried out in the greenhouse facilities ofKaha Vegetable Research Farm (KVRF), Kalubia, while evaluations and genetic studies were conducted using a drip-irrigation system under low tunnels during winter seasons at Ali Mubarak Village Research Farm (AMVRF), South El-Tahrir Horticulture Research Station (STHRS), Behairah. Fifteen tomato true-breeding cvs., viz., Apex 1000, Baxter's Early-Bush, Burgess Stuffing, 506 Bush, Campbell 1327 VF, Castlerock, Long-Keeper, Mountain Gold VFF, Oregon Spring V, Orion, Scotia, Siberia, Siletz, Supermarmande, and Yuba were evaluated along with the commercial hybrid Alwadi in the l 997/1998 winter season under low tunnels as potential parents for hybrids and genetic studies. Results obtained were as follows : 1- Cultivar Supermarmande had the highest plant height (PH), without significant difference from cv. Baxter's Early-Bush. The shortest PH was found in cv. Siberia. 2- Cultivar Supermarmande gave the highest fruit set (FS) percentage, but it was not significantly different from cvs. Scotia, Mountain Gold VFF, and Oregon Spring V. 3- Cultivar Scotia had the highest early yield (EY), but without significant differences from cvs. Siberia and Oregon Spring V. 4- Cultivar Siletz gave the highest total yield (TY), but it was not significantly different from cv. Mountain Gold VFF.