Tomato genetics and germplasm enhancement for improved productivity in Oman

In the present days, the demand for tomatoes is increasing steadily with an increase in population and its likeness in Oman and worldwide. Tomato is the leading vegetable crop grown in the sultanate, and over the past few decades, production has steadily increased to reach 55,000 metric tonnes as of 2012, according to unofficial figures available with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. With Oman's tomato production valued at approximately RO 5.5 million in 2012, the losses due to the recent crop damage because of the diseases could run into millions of Rials. The vegetative and reproductive processes of the tomato are adversely affected by high temperature stress, resulting in a reduction in fruit quality and yield. It has been estimated that temperatures above 32oC for more than three hours a day is sufficient to induce the abortion of flowers in the tomato. The overall goal is to develop improved tomatoes germplasm for Oman and Region by introducing new germplasm from USA and solve problems caused disease and heat through the application of molecular genetics. To achieve this, two objectives have been defined: 1) evaluation of tomato germplasm using genomics-based tools and phenotypic traits, and 2) development of molecular markers associated with genes affecting virus and fungi resistance and heat tolerance. A better understanding of the genetic basis of disease resistance and heat tolerance is needed and new sources of genetic material for incorporation into adapted cultivars must be applied.