Posted on 18.03.2026 by admin
UDC 635.64: 631.527.5
https://doi.org/10.25630/PAV.2026.51.59.006

Gavrish S.F., Schinas M.S., Redichkina T.A., Zelensky G.L.

The article presents the results of a study of medium-fruited F1 hybrids of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) with different colour intensities of mesocarp and their parent line. The research work was carried out on the basis of the breeding center of NPO Gavrish LLC (Krymsky district, Krasnodar Territory) in a fifth-generation greenhouse complex equipped with a photoregulated illumination system and climate control in the period 2023-2024. The aim of the work is to study medium–fruited tomato hybrids with different fruit pulp colors under artificial illumination conditions, identify key components that affect color, and determine the type of inheritance of the «bright flesh» trait. A study was conducted on 86 parental lines and 78 hybrid combinations obtained on their basis. A point scale of colour intensity has been developed, verified by the a/b colorimetric index. A strong positive correlation was established between the visual assessment and the colorimeter data (r=0.91). It is shown that the color intensity is closely related to the content of lycopene (r=0.92), dry matter (r=0.74) and sugars (r=0.70). The beta-carotene content correlates moderately with color (r=0.45). Promising hybrids (F1 Crechet (к-4146/23), F1 k-6777/23, F1 k-6817/23), combining high pigmentation, high content of solids and lycopene, have been identified. The data obtained substantiate the need for a comprehensive assessment (visual and instrumental) of tomato breeding for fruit quality. It has been determined that the trait of bright tomato flesh has a complex, often recessive, type of inheritance. An analysis of the results of heterosis revealed the possibility of obtaining heterosis forms of hybrids, and also allowed to establish that the formation of color is influenced not by absolute dominance of lycopene, but by approaching the threshold level of its content in conjunction with the ratio of other pigments.

Key words: medium-fruited tomatoes, F1 hybrids, heterosis, colorimetric parameters, biochemical composition, lycopene, beta-carotene.

Gavrish S.F., D.Sci. (Agr.), professor, Chairman of the Board of Directors of GAVRISH

Schinas M.S., (corresponding author), research fellow at NPO Gavrish, Kuban State Agrarian University (KubSAU) applicant. E-mail: marusuy32@inbox.ru Redichkina T.A., Cand. Sci. (Agr.), Director of NIISOK LL Zelensky G.L., D.Sci. (Agr.), professor at the Department of Genetics, Breeding and Seed Production at KubGAU
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For citing: Inheritance of colour intensity of mesocarp in tomato fruits. S.F. Gavrish, M.S. Schinas, T.A. Redichkina, G.L. Zelensky. Potato and vegetables. 2026. No2. Pp. 53-60. https://doi.org/10.25630/PAV.2026.51.59.006 (In Russ.).

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