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

Abstract

The present work aimed at to evaluate parameters related to water deficit in 20 F 3 RC 1 families of tomato plant ( Solanum lycopersicum ) derived from the crossing with a (WELL) genotype originated from a drought resistant species, S. pennellii . The delineation was in randomized blocks design with three replications. Two experiments were made, the first in the municipality of Lavras, MG, that consisted in evaluating nine F 3 RC 1 families derived from two self-fertilizations of the following crosses: [TOM-684 x (WELL x M-82)]. The second experiment was made in the town of Ijaci, MG, 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.