Genetic diversity and selection in tomato genotypes under water stress induced by mannitol

Abstract

The tomato crop adapts to different climatic conditions. However, the water stress, which is a relevant factor in the tomato cropping, can affect the productivity. This experiment aimed to estimate the genetic variability, after two backcrosses, and select tomato genotypes that are tolerant to water stress induced by mannitol. The advance of the generations was done on the field and the water stress test was done in laboratory atmosphere, in a completely randomized design with four replications. 17 genotypes, in the generation F₂BC₂, which were obtained from an interespecific cross between Solanum pennellii and Solanum lycopersicum L. and three check treatments, one resistant [wild access LA-716 (Solanum pennellii)] and two susceptible (cv. Santa Clara and UFU-650), were evaluated. After subjected to the osmotic potential of -0.3 Mpa, the seeds were evaluated for: germination percentage, standard germination percentage, first counting percentage, germination velocity index, average time of germination and initial and final length of radicle. As expected, the wild access, S. pennellii, was better than the susceptible check treatments. The genotype UFU102/F₂BC₂#71115 highlighted, compared to the others F₂BC₂ genotypes and in relation to the three check treatments, susceptible (cv. Santa Clara and UFU-650) and resistant (S. pennellii). Analyzing the genetic diversity, 8 different groups were obtained, being an indicative of genetic variability between the evaluated genotypes. The variable %G contributed with 33.9% in the diversification of the genotypes, presenting as the most important criterion, to be evaluated in genetic diversity studies, in the tomato crop under water stress, induced by mannitol.