FRUIT QUALITY OF WILD TOMATOES (Lycopersicon esculentum var. cerasiforme Dunal) FROM OAXACA, MÉXICO

Abstract

México has diverse gene pools of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) that have resulted from extended domestication and diversification processes, but are poorly documented in terms of fruit quality. To evaluate the physical, chemical and nutritional quality of wild tomato fruits (L. esculentum var. cerasiforme Dunal), 17 fruit samples were collected from eight municipalities in Oaxaca State, México. Seeds from each sample were planted, following a randomized block design with three replications, under greenhouse conditions during Spring-Summer 2009. From each experimental plot, a sample of fruits (all fully red, firm and healthy) was analyzed for content of lycopene, vitamin C, soluble solids, pH, sugars, titratable acidity, and chromatic coordinates L*, a* and b*. According to a principal components analysis, the content of lycopene, soluble solids, pH, sugars, titratable acidity and color parameters were the most important traits for describing fruit variability. The 17 accessions were classified into three groups by a cluster analysis. Differences (P < 0.05) were found among clusters and among accessions for all variables. Accessions L-063 and L-073, both from San Blas Atempa, stood out for their lycopene content on fresh weight (26.8 and 28.2 mg 100 g^-1), as well as on dry weight (368.1 y 343.9 mg 100 g^-1). For vitamin C, accessions L-074 from Santiago Nuyoó, L-076, L-077, L-078 and L-079 from San Blas Atempa, and L-080 from Nejapa de Madero, stood out with more than 15 mg 100 g^-1. Color index (a*/b*) correlated positively with all chemical and nutritional traits, except pH.