Starch and Sugar Accumulation in Two Accessions of Lycopersicon cheesmanii

Abstract

A study using Lycopersicon cheesmanii Riley LA 1449 (typicum), a low soluble solids content (SSC) accession, and L. cheesmanii f. minor LA 528 (minor), a high SSC accession, was undertaken to characterize the accumulation of starch, sugar, and total SSC. Fruit of each accession was sampled throughout development to identify differences in SSC, starch accumulation, and sugar distribution. Osmetric analysis indicated that the minor race had higher SSC content throughout the ontogeny of fruit development than the typicum. Typicum contained more starch than minor, and both accessions showed a rapid decline in percent starch as the fruit ripened. Sucrose remained low throughout all stages of fruit development for both accessions. Glucose increased in the minor and declined in the typicum. Fructose increased in both accessions. Total reducing sugar content at the full ripe stage was higher in minor than the typicum.