Pomato

A Tomoffel is a somatic hybrid (mix ) from tomato and potato. These can be produced by protoplast fusion. In the process, the cells of tomato and potato merge. Contrary to the name, but not a crop, but two is produced: tomatoes and potatoes at or below the plant. However, this compound from tomato and potato turns out to be genetically unstable that they can not form fertile seeds.

Another possibility is to graft a tomato plant to a potato plant as a substrate. Also, this combination is referred to as " Tomoffel " and is not subject to the genetic instability of cell hybrids. ( It forms normal tomato fruit. )

The Tomoffel belongs to the nightshade family. First hybrids were bred by the Tübingen biologists Georg Melchers 1978.