Populations of Wild and Semi-Cultivated Tomatoes in Aguascalientes, Mexico

Introduction

Currently in Mexico, 112,000 hectares of S. Lycopersicum tomatoes are cultivated with a production of 2.8 million tons FAO [1] that are widely distributed in the Mexican Republic Sánchez et al. [2] However, there is little documentation of genetic potential and its use either directly or as a source of genes for improvement. As a result of its evolution, it has developed characteristics that have allowed it to survive in adverse conditions, as well as to be resistant to pests and diseases Pérez et al. [3]; Tolerant to extreme temperatures, droughts and unfavourable edaphic conditions Hoyt [4]. For example, the largest populations of wild tomatoes have been collected at altitudes between 0 and 1 200 m.a.s.l. Vargas et al. [3]. The importance of knowing about the genetic diversity between cultivated and wild lines is fundamental to contribute to the biotechnology development of crops and the maintenance of germplasm of the species, therefore, it was considered the objective of evaluating agronomically samples of wild tomatoes and semidomesticated, collected in Aguascalientes, México (Table 1).

Table 1: Variables measured in plant and fruits.

1= Cebra, 2=Cereza, 3= Uva alargado, 4=Silvestre Calvillo, 5=Silvestre el Llano, 6=Salsero, 7= Uva redondo. AP= Altura de planta, cm; NR=Número de ramas; APFR=Altura al primer racimo floral, cm; NRF=Número de racimos florales, NFP=Número de flores por planta, NFrP=Número de frutos por planta, PF=Peso de fruto, g; DE=Diámetro ecuatorial, cm; DP=Diámetro polar, cm y NL= Número de lóculos. Las medias que no comparten una letra son significativamente diferentes. Tukey, 0.05.

Materials and Methods

Fruits of wild plants were collected in San Tadeo and El Llano, Aguascalientes, also in the market were acquired the semicultivated collections: elongated grape, round grape, zebra, cherry Chico and Salsero. The fruits were extracted manually by the seed, to do so, they were macerated in a sieve with fine mesh and to remove the pulp were washed with water, dried in the shade and the pulp adhered to the seed by friction separated from it and the dust was eliminated by air Ation. The seeds obtained were germinated in styrofoam tray of 200 cavities, was used as peat-most substrate. Subsequently, black bags were filled 25 cm wide by 33 cm high, with the substrate prepared with peat-most + coconut fiber + bovine manure Solarizado + soil, leaving 5 cm of upper edge to stop the irrigation water, were laid out at the tables of the Greenhouse in lots of 10 pots per collection, each pot was a repetition. When the plant was about 10 cm high, the most vigorous and healthy appearance were selected, they were removed with rootball and transplanted to the pots, where irrigation was applied frequently of 3 times per week.

The experimental Unit (EU) was a flowerpot, each pot contained one plant, in the plant were measured variables: plant height (AP), number of branches (NR), height to the first floral cluster (APRF), number of floral clusters (NRF), Number of flowers (NFP) and number of Fruits (NFrP). At harvest, the variables were measured: weight per fruit (g), equatorial diameter (DE), polar diameter (DP) and number of locules (NL).

In the previous table it is shown that with the exception of Zebra, the plant height was statistically the same in all the populations, but in the number of branches there were notable differences, resulting that the wild genotypes branched more from the base, indicating a habit of creeping growth.

The height at the first floral cluster differs (p <0.01) among the genotypes (Tukey, 0.05). Number of floral clusters showed differences (p <0.01) between treatments, wild genotypes significantly outperformed the semi-cultivated, indicating high yield potential. The number of flowers per plant showed differences (p <0.01) between the treatments and in the comparison test of means (Tukey, 0.05) the wild genotypes Calvillo and El Llano are indicated with a greater number of flowers. The number of fruits per plant showed differences (p <0.01) between the treatments and the comparison test of means (Tukey, 0.05), I indicate with greater fruiting the wild genotypes Calvillo and Llano, in addition to Salsero and Uva Redondo. The weight of fruits per plant showed differences (p <0.01) between the treatments and the comparison test of means (Tukey, 0.05), highlighting the fruits of greater weight corresponding to the Salsero genotype. In the Zebra genotype, the variables: equatorial diameter of the fruit, polar diameter and number of locules showed differences in the analysis of variance (p <0.05) as well as in the comparison test of means (Tukey, 0.05).

Conclusion
The variables showed significant differences (p <0.05), which indicates phenotypic diversity of the materials evaluated. In number of flower clusters and number of fruits, the wild genotypes surpassed the semi-cultivated genotypes, which indicates high yield potential. For future work it is suggested to increase the number of collections and complement with the genetic characterization.

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