REPORT OF THE TOMATO CAC, 1988

                  John C. Snyder, Chairman
                     Dept. Hort. & L.A.
                      N318 Ag. Sci. N.
                   University of Kentucky
                     Lexington, KY 40546
                        (606)257-5635
                         HOR001@UKAG
The Tomato Crop Advisory Committee (CAC) had an active year. 275 letters soliciting proposals for evaluation of germplasm for soluble solids, resistance to Phytopthera root rot and bacterial canker, and high temperature and low temperature fruit set were sent to members of the Tomato Breeder's Round Table (TBRT) and members of the Tomato Genetics Cooperative (TGC). Nine proposals were received, and of these, the CAC recommended that three proposals, two concerned with high temperature fruit set and solids and one proposal concerned with resistance to spotted wilt, be forwarded to Beltsville for funding consideration. The members of the CAC would like to remind everyone that proposals for evaluation of germplasm can be submitted to the CAC at any time. The descriptors listed above have been identified as highest priority, but the CAC will review proposals concerning any descriptor. We have also received word that money may be available for germplasm enhancement activities. If you have solid proposals the CAC is willing to review them. Priorities for enhancement have not been fully established by the CAC.

The CAC recently met in Mazatlan, Mexico, in conjunction with the TBRT. Major items covered at the meeting were the evaluation proposals, outlined above, personnel changes, a review of the state of the Lycopersicon collections at Davis and at Geneva, and a discussion concerning the use of core collections in Lycopersicon germplasm. Jim McFerson, recently appointed curator of the tomato collection at Geneva, has been busy getting the collection inventory into shape, as well as planning field activities for the summer. Tom Barksdale recently retired and consequently also retired his membership on the CAC. The CAC appreciates all Tom's hard work that benefitted the CAC, and consequently replaced Tom with not one, but two pathologists, Davy Emmatti, and Ray Volin.

The collection at Davis has come under recent scrutiny by U.C. Davis, and as a consequence, a long term plan for maintaining that collection at Davis has been developed. The CAC has encouraged development of such a plan, and now encourages implementation of the plan. The idea of identifying a core collection, at least for L. esculentum, was favorably viewed by the CAC. No specific plans for implementation of a core collection are in place, but the CAC continues to evaluate the concept and will probably develop a specific plan in the near future.

Major activities of the CAC for the coming year are to revise the CAC Report, which is a roadmap for future germplasm collection, evaluation, and enhancement activities. If anyone would like to comment on any of these issues contact one of the CAC members. The CAC always welcomes comments from any of the germplasm users. The CAC has been requested to maintain a network of tomato germplasm users. If you are aware of individuals who maintain an interest in tomato germplasm, but are not members of the TBRT or the TGC, please forward their names and addresses to one of the members of the CAC.

CAC MEMBERSHIP LIST

Dr. Eliseo Redondo
Coordinator of Vegetable Crops
INIFAP, Apdo Postal 112
38080 Celaya, GTO, Mexico
     
Dr. Edgar Rendon Poblete
Campbells of Mexico
Nogal 204; Col. Jardines
38080 Celaya, GTO, Mexico
     
Dr. Fred Angell
Asgrow Inc.
P.O. Box L
San Juan Bautista, CA 95045
     
Dr. Vaino Poysa
Research Station
Harrow, Ontario, Canada
NOR 190
     
Dr. Charles M. Rick
Department of Vegetable Crops
University of California
Davis, CA 95616
     
Dr. Allan K. Stoner
Plant Genetics and Germplasm Inst.
Bldg. 001, Room 127, BARC-West
Beltsville, MD 20705
     
Dr. W.H. Weinheimer
Agrigenetics Corp, Veg. Group
608 Comstock Rd.
Hollister, CA 95023
     
Dr. Jim McFerson
National Germplasm Repository Bldg.
NYSAES
Geneva, NY 14456
     
Dr. Jimmy Augustine
BHN Research
16750 Bonita Beach Road
Bonita Springs, FL 33923

Dr. Martha A. Mutchler
407 Bradfield Hall
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853
     
Dr. Dale M. Smith
H.J. Heinz Co. of Canada
Erie Street South
Leamington, Ontario, CanadaN8H 3W8     

Dr. E.C. Tigchelarr
Department of Horticulture
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN 47907
     
Dr. Alan Nash
Hort. Dept.
Delaware Valley College
Doylestown, PA 18901

Dr. Davy A. Emmatty
Heinz USA
13737 Middleton Pike
Bowling Green, OH 43402  

Dr. Ray B. Volin
Northrup King Co.
10290 Greenway Road
Naples, FL 33962
     
Dr. John C. Snyder
N318 Ag. Sci. N.
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY 40546
     
Dr. Howard J. Brooks
(ex-officio)
USDA-ARS, National Program Staff
Room 236, Building 005 BARC-WestBeltsville, MD 20705