Can Tomatillo Plants Cross Pollinate Tomatoes?

Tomatillo plants and tomato plants are part of the same family, the Solanaceae family of plants. However, they are not the same species, and therefore, people may wonder whether tomatillo plants can cross pollinate tomatoes. The answer is both yes and no.

The Similarities and Differences between Tomatoes and Tomatillos

Tomatillos are typically grown for their fruit, which is used extensively in Mexican cuisine. The fruit is similar in size to a tomato, but it has a different flavor profile, being both tart and sweet. The fruit of the tomatillo is enclosed in a papery, lantern-like husk that is typically removed before use.

Tomatoes, on the other hand, are grown for their juicy, fleshy fruit which can be consumed fresh, cooked or canned. Tomato fruit is round or oblong in shape, and it comes in varying sizes and colors.

Although these plants have different characteristics, they share some similarities. Both tomatillo and tomato plants have similar flowers, and both plants are pollinated in the same way. They both release pollen from their anthers, which can be carried by bees, butterflies, and other pollinators to the stigma of the same plant or of another plant of the same species.

Cross Pollination between Tomatillo Plants and Tomato Plants

While it is possible for tomatillo plants and tomato plants to cross-pollinate, it is unlikely to result in viable fruit. This is because tomatillos and tomatoes have different numbers of chromosomes. Tomatoes typically have 24 chromosomes, while tomatillos have 30 chromosomes. This means that when a tomatillo plant pollinates a tomato plant, or vice versa, the resulting fruit is likely to be sterile or at least nonviable.

However, there are some exceptions. In some rare cases, crossing a tomatillo with a tomato plant can result in a hybrid, which may have characteristics of both plants. These hybrids are not always stable, and their seeds may not produce plants with the same traits.

Practical Implications of Cross Pollination

If you are growing tomatillos and tomatoes in close proximity, pollination may still take place, but this is unlikely to have any significant effect on the plants' fruit. However, if you plan to save the seeds from your plants for future use, it is essential to isolate the plants to avoid cross-pollination.

If you want to grow plants with characteristics of both tomato and tomatillo plants, you can try cross-breeding the plants yourself. This process is called manual cross-pollination, and it involves taking pollen from the anther of one plant and transferring it to the stigma of another plant. While this process can be time-consuming and requires some expertise, it can be a fun and rewarding experiment for gardening enthusiasts.

Conclusion

While tomatillo plants and tomato plants are similar in some ways, they are different species with different numbers of chromosomes. This means that while cross-pollination can occur, it is unlikely to result in viable or healthy fruit. If you want to experiment with producing hybrid plants, manual cross-pollination may be your best option. However, if you are growing plants for their fruit, it is essential to isolate them to avoid cross-pollination if you want to save the seeds for future use.