ARI Biennial Review for 2018-2019

Sensory and functional quality characterisation of protected designation of origin ‘Piennolo del Vesuvio’ cherry tomato landraces from Campania-Italy Compositional characterisation was performed on seven ‘Pomodorino del Piennolo del Vesuvio’ (PPV) tomato landraces, a signature product of Campania (Italy) threatened by genetic erosion. Characterisation encompassed determinations of macro-minerals, soluble carbohydrates, starch, acidity, lycopene, polyphenols, anthocyanins, protein and free amino acids. Exceptionally high dry matter (13.0 ± 0.2%) and sugar content (101.3 ± 3.8 μmol g−1 fw) and very low (0.007–0.009) Na/K ratio were invariably obtained across landraces, contrasted by significant variation in acidity (28.5–3.9 g kg−1 dw). Giagiù, Acampora and Riccia San Vito differentiated by high polyphenols content (131.8 ± 2.5 mg 100 g−1) while Acampora, Cozzolino and Fofò by high lycopene content (13.3 ± 10.6 mg 100 g−1 fw). Glutamate, GABA and glutamine represented 65% of the 22 detected amino acids mean total content. Glutamate, linked to umami taste, was highest (19.2 μmol g−1 fw) in Fofò. Our results will contribute towards the systematic documentation of sensory and functional quality profiles of an important collection of tomato landraces. (M.C. Kyriacou) CONSERVATION OF PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES National coordination Cooperation with Biodiversity International, mainly through participation in the European Cooperative Programme for Plant Genetic Resources (ECPGR) and other international and national organisations continued. ARI is the National Focal Point in the European Internet Search Catalogue (EURISCO), the national correspondent for the FAO-World Information and Early Warning System on Plant Genetic Resources and the national representative to the Committee established by the Council Regulation 870/2004. It is also involved in the implementation, at the national level, of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. (A. Kyratzis) National Genebank (CYPARI) Seed collection has focused on native plant genetic resources threatened by genetic erosion and on useful plants such as landraces and crop wild relatives. Around 46 new accessions have been collected during the last two years. Germination tests have been routinely conducted to assess germination capacity of the CYPARI conserved accessions. Focus has been given to the development of germination protocols for plants of the flora of Cyprus. With collaboration of other organisations, the seed germination physiology of species of the genus Aegilops was investigated. It was found that different seed morphs differed significantly in terms of mass, final germination, germination timing, longevity estimates and antioxidant profile in most of the tested species. Small seeds germinated slower, had lower germination when left in their dispersal units, a higher antioxidant potential and were longer-lived than large seeds. The antioxidant gene expression varied between morphs, with different patterns across species but not clearly reflecting the phenotypic observations. The results highlight different trait trade-offs in dimorphic seeds of Aegilops and T. urartu, affecting their germination phenology and longevity, thereby resulting in recruitment niche differentiation. Concerning Sarcopoterium spinosum , a study was contacted with collaboration of ENSCONET members, aiming to deepen the analysis of seed germination ecology and salinity tolerance of this species. The effect of the presence of the spongy issue varied among populations, with significant results for seed germination. For all populations, optimum germination temperatures were observed in the range of 10-20°C. Seeds of S. spinosum 31 VEGETABLE CROPS