Active bank of tomato germplasm of UTFPR- Pato Branco campus: basis for introduction to agroecological cultivation of open pollination tomatoes in the southwest region of Paraná

Abstract

It is of great interest to grow tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) of the mesa type, in the southwestern
region of Paraná by the agroecological olericultores. However, there is a lack of
open pollinated cultivars adapted to this region and organic cultivation. Thus, in early 2016 the
“Active Tomato Germplasm Bank (BAGT)” and the “Tomato Genetic Improvement Program” of
UTFPR-PB were introduced. They are interdependent projects, since the breeding program is
dependent on the use of a well characterized and diversified genetic base. Thus, the objective
of this work is to report and describe the experiences obtained with the introduction of the
BAGT of the UTFPR-PB. The implementation of the project is still underway, however, and has
already obtained results of characterization, use and maintenance of ex situ genetic resources,
allowing the long-term collaboration with agrobiodiversity and its diffusion in the southwestern
region of Parana.