In vitro selection of tomatoes F2RC1 genotypes tolerant to water stress

• Grant number: 19/05829-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2019
• End date: January 31, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Crop Science
• Principal Investigator: André Ricardo Zeist
• Grantee: Heloisa de Souza Voltare
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias. Universidade do Oeste Paulista (UNOESTE). Campus de Presidente Prudente. Presidente Prudente , SP, Brazil

Abstract

There are several wild tomato accesses that develop in a wide range of latitudes, adapted to different types of climate, such as 'LA-716' belonging to the species Solanum pennellii. This project aims to explore the drought tolerance of access 'LA-716', to introduce alleles for this characteristic in commercial cultivars. Initially interspecific crosses, backcrossing and selection of segregating F2RC1 genotypes will be performed. Selection will be made in vitro. Water stress will be induced by the addition of mannitol to the culture media. The seedlings will be selected based on parameters indicative of stress. For the purpose of comparison and selection of plants with higher tolerance, the responses of the seedlings submitted to the stresses will be confronted with the responses obtained in cultivated plants. The scientific initiation fellow will perform cross-breeding, backcrossing and in vitro selection of F2RC1 genotypes obtained from the interspecific cross-breeding of S. lycopersicum tomato lines with characteristics for in natura consumption and processing (recurrent breeders) with wild S. pennellii access 'LA-716' (donor parent), with good tolerance to water stress and that may contribute to the development of cultivars.