Selection of tomato plant families using characters related to water deficit resistance

Abstract

Environmental stress, such as drought stress, constantly cause production loss. Breeding programs search for genotypes which may overcome climate adversities, producing in ideal as well as in stressful environments. The present work aimed at to evaluate parameters related to water deficit in 20 F3RC1 families of tomato plants derived from the crossing with a (WELL) genotype, originated from a drought resistant species, as well as select plants using characters related to water deficit resistance. The delineation was in randomized blocks design with three replications. Two experiments were carried out, the first in Lavras, Minas Gerais state, Brazil, that consisted in evaluating nine F3RC1 families derived from two self-fertilizations of the following crosses: {TOM-684 x (WELL x M-82)}. The second experiment was carried out in Ijaci, in the same state, and evaluated the same nine families from the previous experiment and another eleven families obtained from the same crossing. The plants were submitted to water deficit by means of the suspension of irrigation at 35 days after transplanting the seedlings to the field. The families T4, T5, T6, T15, T17 were highlighted regarding fruit production and, among the nine families evaluated in both cultivation environments, the T6 was the most productive, indicating good productive stability. Families T5 and T9 were highlighted for presenting low incidence of blossom-end rot and higher relative water content in leaves. The blossom-end rot incidence and relative water content are good parameter to be indirect selection of plants more resistant to drought.