**7. Conclusions**

*Landraces - Traditional Variety and Natural Breed*

breeding programs [110].

assessment.

interest [61].

maturation and quality [114].

clustered together the genotypes with the same origin. Comparable results were observed when SSR markers were used, but the level of resolution was lower [99]. Al Shaye et al [110] evaluated Saudi tomato landraces with SDS-PAGE and SRAP markers. It was shown that almost all of the landraces with the same origin were grouped in the same cluster emphasizing the usefulness of these markers in future

Similar to SRAP markers, which bind in the coding gene region, ScoT markers (Start Codon Targeted) involve the amplification with a single primer that anneal to the highly conserved region positioned next to start codon ATG of two close genes [111]. The ScoT primers were used in comparison with the ISSR to evaluate the variability for 8 Egyptian tomato genotypes. The genetic fingerprints were different for the two categories of markers and it was considered that ScoT ones were more related to the morphological traits compared to ISSR for evaluation of tomato diversity. Therefore, the use of more than one marker system is recommended for a higher resolution of the analysis [112]. Following the introduction of modern analytical techniques, they have also been applied in the area of diversity

Therefore, the sequencing system Illumina was used for evaluation of 75 landraces originated from Sothern Italy and distinguished a number of 152 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP). 30% variability was identified between local populations, the differences being associated especially with fruit-related traits. The developed SNP system was considered to be very useful for genetic characterization, effective conservation and application on tomato breeding process [58].

A complex research had been done in Italy to investigate 123 tomato genotypes originated from all over the world. A very wide range of genotypes has been analyzed in order to succeed in the polymorphism identification and its correlation with different 18 morphological traits, mainly related to fruits. A tomato array was used and a number of almost 8000 SNP were analyzed. The results showed that 36 of the SNP markers were correlated with 15 of the studied traits. These markers were mapped on chromosomes along with a number of 98 candidate genes as follows: 19 SNPs were located in six chromosomal regions in which candidate genes are positioned, and 17 SNPs in regions where no such genes are found. Thus, it can be stated that chromosomal regions have been identified where unknown genes related to the traits are positioned. Thus, new research lines are opened to identify genes of

In the following years, considering the development of the SNP analysis system, point mutations associated with organoleptic characters and metabolites content were identified [113] and mutations in genes involved in drought tolerant and fruit

Besides SNP identification, the whole genome sequencing was also applied to identify genes of interest involved in tolerance to drought, good quality and storage proprieties. Therefore, the whole genome of two landraces with the mentioned traits was sequenced. In their genome regions similar to *Solanum pimpinellifolium* and *S. pennellii* and candidate genes for the interest traits were identified [115]. Therefore, it can be said that over time several molecular marker systems have been used to assess variability in local tomato landraces. But it has rarely been possible to correlate with the phenotype, i.e. the genes determine certain characters. But these molecular markers have shown their importance in screening populations to determine the degree of similarity or to remove identical genotypes from the study and from the conservation. Instead, the development of SNP markers and sequencing of the entire genome is expected to be a strategy that will underpin the identification of all genes of interest in both biological and agricul-

**74**

tural areas.

Vegetable landraces constitute a valuable genetic pool of genetic diversity, which can be exploited both in breeding programs for obtaining new commercial genotypes with targeted traits and as a valuable source of germplasm for traditional farmers.

Tomatoes are the most important vegetable with fruits and many landraces are preserved around the world as local varieties or farm varieties. Variability of chemical composition, plant morphology and agronomic performance have shown that cultivation technology has a major impact on the shelflife of tomato fruits.

The conservation of vegetable landraces is associated with their cultural value, geographical isolation of sites, aesthetic and organoleptic preferences of consumers and traditional farmers.

There is an optimistic outlook on harnessing landraces and traditional vegetable varieties in a quality-oriented sustainable horticultural system.
