EVALUATION OF BIOCHEMICAL POTENTIAL IN TOMATO (Solanum lycopersicum) GERMPLASMS

Abstract

A total of 185 diverse genotypes of tomato (Solanum lycopersicumL.), including 33 genotypes of Lycopersicumvar. Cersiforme (cherry tomatoes), were grown under shade house at National Agriculture Research Council (NARC), Islamabad Pakistan. The genotyes were harvested at fully ripened stage to evaluate the minerals and antioxidant properties. Genotypes were evaluated for antioxidants (ascorbic acids, lycopene, β-carotene and total soluble solids), mineral contents (Na, K, Ca, Mg and P) and trace elements (Fe, Cu, Mn, and Zn). Significant variations were recorded for antioxidant compounds, minerals and trace elements. Lycopene contents ranged from 1.57 to 23.24 mg 100g-1, ascorbic acid from 11.64 to 29.11 mg 100g-1, total soluble solids from 3.33 to 6.46 mg 100g-1while beta-carotene ranged from 1.32 to 7.6 mg 100g-1.The contents of potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc were ranged from 780 to 3260 mg kg-1, 97.37 to 315 mg kg-1, 30.89 to 164.2 mg kg-1, 4.15 to 15.67 mg kg-1and 1.1 to 12.8 mg kg-1 respectively. Cherry genotypes (W-C 1653,W-C 1654,W-C 1656, W-C 1655,W-C 1658, W-C 1657,W-C 1660,W-C 1659,W-C 1666, W-C 16661, W-C 16667,W-C 16668,W-C 1670,W-C1671,W-C 1673)were found rich in antioxidants, minerals and trace elements. The results reported that quality and anti-oxidants of tomato fruit indicate high potential for genetic improvement of tomato through utilization of identified genotypes for important traits.