Determinant Tomato Accessions – Bio-Resource for the Healthy Nutrition

Abstract

Conservation of the genetic diversity of crops that we grow for food is a priority in the strategy for sustainable development and living in a healthy environment. In the period 2007-2010 63 determinant tomato accessions with a different geographical origin, grown in ex situ collection of IRGR-Sadovo, were studied. Some morphological and biochemical parameters responsible for the quality and nutritional value of the fruit were evaluated. The correlations show that fruits with high contents of vitamin C, sugars, total acidity, and dry matter are with less mass. Accessions that are suitable for food processing and fruit with high yield were identified. A4000033 from Israel and the Bulgarian cultivar Trapezitsa have with best biochemical indicators and high dry matter content. The first accession is small-fruited, and suitable for processing with high durability and transportability. The second is characterized by large fruit and is suitable both for fresh consumption and canning. Local accessions from expeditions are also characterized by high dry matter content of over 5%. The high values of variation coefficients for studied parameters showed high genetic diversity in the collection. This makes the accessions interesting genetic material for inclusion in breeding programs in response to changing consumer demands.