Objective: To study the effects of space conditions on mutation and inheritance of tomato.
Method: Air-dried seeds of tomato were carried by a satellite for 7-15 d. These seeds were planted after returning. The mutagenic effects of space conditions on some of their variations of the botanical characteristics were studied.
Result: Tomato dry seeds were carried to the outer space by satellite. After returned to the earth it was found that SP1 generation was of their germination percentage lower than the control. This physiological damage returned to normal in SP2 generation. Seeding isoenzyme, plant growth, resistance, and output, showed variation, and profitable variation had been expressed in later generations. The characters were expressed in the progenies. By observation and screen, promising line of tomato TF873, was obtained.
Conclusion: It was suggested that space conditions induce profitable mutation of crop and it a possible way for plant mutation breeding.