ARS | Publication request: Phenotypic and molecular variation in 44 vintage tomato varieties

Submitted to: Tomato Breeders Roundtable Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: September 2, 2011
Publication Date: October 11, 2012
Citation: Labate, J.A., Panthee, D., Mcgrath, M., Francis, D., Breksa Iii, A.P., Robertson, L.D. 2012. Phenotypic and molecular variation in 44 vintage tomato varieties. Tomato Breeders Roundtable Proceedings. Vol. 43, p. 10.

Technical Abstract: An important goal of tomato breeding is to create varieties that will provide high quality product for fresh consumption. Traits such as lycopene, total soluble solids (TSS), vitamin C and titratable acidity (TA) are major components of fruit flavor and quality. Although several-thousand genotypes are available from the Plant Genetic Resources Unit for potential exploitation of such traits, they have not been previously assessed in replicated field trials. To take steps to address this problem, 44 vintage tomato varieties of diverse origins were acquired and evaluated in a total of four environments (NC, NY, OH in 2009 and OH in 2010). Descriptive summaries and quantitative genetic analyses of the four traits will be presented. Significant differences among the genotypes indicated that certain lines may be of interest to use as parents in tomato breeding programs aiming to improve fruit quality, whereas significant GxE interactions indicated that the performance of the varieties may be location specific. Molecular genetic markers showed that this set of vintage varieties was only slightly less diverse than two geodiversity panels. Cluster analysis using markers was inconclusive with the exception of a separate clade consisting of two cherry tomato varieties. Seed is being increased for any varieites not previously held by PGRU and they will be added to the germplasm repository for distribution to breeders and researchers upon request.