HUGE respect for breeders

mensplace · January 12, 2010

After doing some morning reading re dominant versus recessive genes in tomatoes I found this:
http://tgrc.ucdavis.edu/Genes.html

Now THAT really raises the bar in terms of the many factors the breeders here and elsewhere have to consider! Obviously, with so many different variables, breeding is a tad bit more than "Well, I like the shape and size of this one, but the flavor of this one". Seems the possibilities, like the number of varieties today are virtually endless.

Still, in looking across the entire spectrum of Beefsteaks today, I still wonder whether the real differences in some of them is really significant when compared to the many, many other beefsteak varieties. But, I'm still something of a bigot...I still prefer a nice round tomato of a baseball to softball size, even if flattened a bit, with pretty exterior, an even balance of well distributed locules and flesh, and an intense sweet/salty/acidic tanginess....whatever that one is. Throw in heightened disease resistance and productivity and I am HAPPY! THAT, to me, is the perfect tomato.

I tip my hat to ALL breeders!

January 12, 2010	#1
mensplace Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: USA Posts: 1,013	HUGE respect for breeders After doing some morning reading re dominant versus recessive genes in tomatoes I found this: http://tgrc.ucdavis.edu/Genes.html Now THAT really raises the bar in terms of the many factors the breeders here and elsewhere have to consider! Obviously, with so many different variables, breeding is a tad bit more than "Well, I like the shape and size of this one, but the flavor of this one". Seems the possibilities, like the number of varieties today are virtually endless. Still, in looking across the entire spectrum of Beefsteaks today, I still wonder whether the real differences in some of them is really significant when compared to the many, many other beefsteak varieties. But, I'm still something of a bigot...I still prefer a nice round tomato of a baseball to softball size, even if flattened a bit, with pretty exterior, an even balance of well distributed locules and flesh, and an intense sweet/salty/acidic tanginess....whatever that one is. Throw in heightened disease resistance and productivity and I am HAPPY! THAT, to me, is the perfect tomato. I tip my hat to ALL breeders!