Abstract

J.H., Pereira da Costa et al. Fruit quality improvement through the incorporation of wild species genes in the tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). BAG, J. basic appl. genet. [online]. 2021, vol.32, n.2, pp.41-50. ISSN 1852-6233.  http://dx.doi.org/10.35407/bag.2021.32.02.05.

The genetic improvement of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) has achieved an increase for yield and other agronomic traits in a short period of time. As a consequence, genetic diversity has been notably reduced. Wild germplasm has been mostly used as a source of resistance genes for diseases and pests. Our group started in the 1990’ a breeding program in tomato for improving fruit quality, with special emphasis on increasing fruit shelf life and broadening the genetic variability with the incorporation of wild genes. We have developed different populations from the interspecific cross between the Argentine cultivar Caimanta of S. lycopersicum and the accession LA0722 of S. pimpinellifolium L. Through crosses between these selected parents and the subsequent generational selection advance, we attempted to elucidate the genetic bases that underlie tomato fruit quality. To do that, we use state-of-the-art technology available in the field of genetics and breeding programs, including genomic, post-genomic and bioinformatic data. At the same time, we have developed four new cultivars with improved fruit quality traits compared to commercial hybrids. To conserve and study the tomato diversity, we have developed a germplasm collection that currently contains 162 tomato genotypes from different species and origins. In addition, we have started a direct transfer of our cultivars to urban and peri-urban community orchards to facilitate them the access to genotypes that were developed in Argentine public institutions.

Keywords : Solanum pimpinellifolium; Fruit shelf life; Molecular markers; Germplasm bank; Agroecological orchards.

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