Tomato Adaptability

grodematers · October 19, 2006

Tomato Is Adaptable. "Definite selection and breeding work with the tomato for adapting it to warm-temperature and cool-temperature regions has been in progress but a short time, not over two centuries and perhaps only half that," says Dr. Boswell. "Nevertheless, in a certainly brief span, this tropical or sub-tropical plant has been adapted to a wide range of environments far different from its native home. The efforts at selection by early growers of the crop together with natural factors produced a very interesting and effective assortment of general types, each of which apparently points toward the maximum adaptability at each region."

Extensive commercial tomato production in this country is not much over 85 years old, as of 1969. Prior to 1860, no tomato varieties had even been developed in the U.S., according to Boswell. "Probably the first United States contribution to tomato improvement was the introduction of the Tilden variety by Henry Tilden of Davenport, Iowa, in 1865. it originated as a chance seedling in a field of a variety the name of which is not recorded. The next notable advance occurred in 1870 with the introduction of Trophy, a result of hybridization and selection by a Dr. Hand, of Baltimore county, Md."

Excerpted from Magoon, C.E. 1969December. Fruit & Vegetable Facts & Pointers: Tomatoes. United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association, 777 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 2005.
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The above is from a web search. The info above brings me to my question/questions. Has anyone here researched the following:

1- Could a variety grown in the same soil type, with the same variables(water,fert.etc.) for a long time, say 10-20 yrs...saving seed and replanting, become adapted to that specific environment ?

2- If I were to take a variety that does not do well in my zone and grow it out over an extended amount of time, could it become adapted to my zone ?

I know there are alot of variables to consider and time is of the essence. I just want to see what some of your views are on this. By the way I am new here so forgive me if this a tad long for a first post.

Thank you,

grodematers

October 19, 2006	#1
grodematers Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 23	Tomato Adaptability Tomato Is Adaptable. "Definite selection and breeding work with the tomato for adapting it to warm-temperature and cool-temperature regions has been in progress but a short time, not over two centuries and perhaps only half that," says Dr. Boswell. "Nevertheless, in a certainly brief span, this tropical or sub-tropical plant has been adapted to a wide range of environments far different from its native home. The efforts at selection by early growers of the crop together with natural factors produced a very interesting and effective assortment of general types, each of which apparently points toward the maximum adaptability at each region." Extensive commercial tomato production in this country is not much over 85 years old, as of 1969. Prior to 1860, no tomato varieties had even been developed in the U.S., according to Boswell. "Probably the first United States contribution to tomato improvement was the introduction of the Tilden variety by Henry Tilden of Davenport, Iowa, in 1865. it originated as a chance seedling in a field of a variety the name of which is not recorded. The next notable advance occurred in 1870 with the introduction of Trophy, a result of hybridization and selection by a Dr. Hand, of Baltimore county, Md." Excerpted from Magoon, C.E. 1969December. Fruit & Vegetable Facts & Pointers: Tomatoes. United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association, 777 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 2005. ------------------------------------------------------------- The above is from a web search. The info above brings me to my question/questions. Has anyone here researched the following: 1- Could a variety grown in the same soil type, with the same variables(water,fert.etc.) for a long time, say 10-20 yrs...saving seed and replanting, become adapted to that specific environment ? 2- If I were to take a variety that does not do well in my zone and grow it out over an extended amount of time, could it become adapted to my zone ? I know there are alot of variables to consider and time is of the essence. I just want to see what some of your views are on this. By the way I am new here so forgive me if this a tad long for a first post. Thank you, grodematers