Physiological diversity in native Mexican tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Abstract

Objective: Evaluate biodiversity in photosynthetic attributes and postharvest fruit quality of eight native tomato varieties vs. two commercial hybrids.

Design/methodology/approach: A randomized complete block experimental design with four replicates and four plants per plot was used to allocate treatments. Statistical analysis was performed with SAS 9.4 using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and comparison of means by Tukey (p ≤ 0.05).

Results: Varietal diversity in transpiration rate (E) was detected, but not in net photosynthesis rate (A) nor in water use efficiency (WUE). Native var. Oax-131 outstands because of its high photosynthetic parameters: Amax, saturation point, and a carboxylation efficiency similar to the El Cid® hybrid. On fruit weight losses after harvest five native varieties losses were less than 7 %, the conventional limit, and on fruit firmness var. Oax-131 was similar to the hybrids during the first 6 days.

Limitations on study/implications: The small sample of eight native varieties for measuring gas exchange rates and photosynthetic parameters..

Findings/conclusions:

The native variety Oax-131 outstand in photosynthetic characteristics and postharvest quality which equal to or better than the commercial hybrids.

Key words: Solanum lycopersicum, native varieties, photosynthetic parameters, postharvest quality of the fruit.