Correlation Analysis and Multi-stage Selection for Extended Shelf Life in Tropical Tomato Breeding Using the Sletr1-2 Allele

Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.) are climacteric fruits that cannot be stored for long, are easily damaged, and may lead to significant postharvest losses. To overcome these challenges, varietal improvement by extending the shelf life is significant. This study examined the correlation between fruit shelf-life characteristics and other important agronomic characteristics. This study used a backcross population of the BC3F1 generation, which resulted from crossing commercial tomatoes with the Sletr1-2 mutant. The Genotype Selection for extended shelf life involved evaluating plant phenotypes, molecular identification, and selecting fruit shelf life at room temperature storage. Correlation analysis was performed by manual calculation using the Pearson formula. The selection of agronomic traits related to yield was based on the Student’s T-test by comparing the backcross population with the control variety ’Intan.’ The results showed a significant negative correlation between fruit shelf life and flowering age (r = -0.379, p < 0.01) and first harvest age (r = -0.380, p < 0.01) and a positive correlation with fruit set (r = 0.168, p < 0.01). Selection on the BC3F1 population resulted in genotypes with long fruit shelf life without sacrificing yield components. The selected genotypes showed a significant increase in fruit shelf life compared to the ’Intan’ variety (56.44 ± 3.29 vs 13.88 ± 0.61 days) while maintaining fruit weight per plant (901.28 ± 212.38 g vs 555.88 ± 76.65 g). The results of this study can be used as input in the selection strategies for breeding tomatoes that extend shelf life without sacrificing other agronomic traits.