Indian Journal of Plant Genetic Resources
Year : 1989, Volume : 2, Issue : 1
First page : ( 25) Last page : ( 31)
Print ISSN : 0971-8184.

Genetic Resources in Tomato and Their Evaluation

Thomas T. A., Chandra Umesh

National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi.

Abstract

Tomato is one of the most popular and widely grown vegetable in the world ranking second in importance to potato in many countries. The centre of origin of genus Lycopersicon is a narrow belt of South-American west coast and the Andes. The greatest variability occurs outside this area in Mexico, Central America and coastal Peru. Because of its climatic tolerance, tomato has been proved to be one of the most versatile cultivated plants. The erstwhile Plant Introduction Division (IARI) under the leadership of late Dr. H. B. Singh, started genetic resources activities long back and over the years, the NBPGR has assembled a total of 2,659 collections in tomato from diverse agro-climatic zones of the world (from over 40 countries) and from within India. These were tested/evaluated in phased manner but during past two years, data were recorded systematically on 39 different agro-botanical and economic characters. Donor types were indentified for different traits. High yielding, paste types, heat tolerant lines, and collections suitable for good/excellent transportation were sorted out for their utilization as direct selections or exploitation as parental material in hybridization programme.

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