Abstract

The Old Limachino Tomato is a valuable fruit with exceptional nutritional values and organoleptic sensory properties. However, it suffers from a short shelf-life, compromising post-harvest behavior. As an attempt to improve the fruit's qualities, Limachino (L) scion was grafted onto rootstock from the rustic landrace Poncho Negro (R). Fruits produced in this graft combination were compared with fruits produced by self-grafted plants (L/L) and from a long-shelf-life cultivar Seminis (LSL). The trials were carried out for 146 days during summer of two consecutive years. Poncho Negro rootstock increased the total number of fruits produced by Limachino scion (L/R). It did not affect the fresh weight of individual fruits but reduced their water content. It has no impact on the Limachino fruit form (quality), a typical characteristic well appreciated by consumers. Fruits produced by LSL exhibited a higher firmness but a lower titratable acidity and antioxidant capacity than L/R and L/L fruits. Panels of 104 untrained final consumers and a trained panel of 13 experts attributed the highest value to L/R fruits and the lowest one to LSL. It was concluded that Poncho Negro rootstock contributes to increasing preferences and the level of acceptability towards Limachino fruits. Further research is needed to develop local technologies in order to expand the production of local tomatoes that are highly valued by consumers.