[Redbaron]

Turns out that micro-organisms can actually activate biochemical pathways that stay active even after the micro-organism is gone, and even through the following generation. This is one way beneficial bacteria and fungi work. Sounds strange, but it actually has been confirmed by science. So this ability in plants can partly explain a "bad generation" followed by a "good generation". Plants do have some ability to adapt by activating dormant genes, which is very different than actually having an actual genetic change through mutation or out crossing with new genetic material. Tomatoes most generally self pollinate.