Effects of Inherited Differences in Growth Habit on Fruit Size and Soluble Solids in Tomato1

Different growth habits in the same genetic background were produced by backcross programs to obtain determinate, sp , indeterminate, sp + , jointless, j , and dwarf, d , forms of each of 3 varieties, ‘Gardener,’ ‘Fireball,’ and ‘Cornell 54-149.’ Compared at 2 spacings, 6 × 1.5 ft and 6 × 0.5 ft, indeterminate and jointless plants had larger fruit and higher soluble solids than determinate plants in all varietal backgrounds and at both spacings. The magnitude of the differences varied with varietal background. Dwarf plants produced smaller fruit than non-dwarf plants but with no difference in soluble solids. Closer plant spacings within the row resulted in both smaller size and decreased soluble solids of fruit.