Tree tomato (Solanum betaceum Cav.) reproductive physiology: A review

Tree tomato is an important crop from South America. Trees attain heights of two to four meters. The inflorescence is known as a scorpioid cyme that bears between 10-50 flowers. Tree tomato is a subtropical perennial tree that flowers between 1000 to 3000 m in the tropics and subtropics. In the tropics, flowering and fruiting occur throughout the year. Pollen size is 20 mu m in polar diameter and 19 mu m in equatorial diameter. Pollination is mediated by biotic vectors, such as insects e.g. bees and bumblebees. Also, abiotic vectors such as wind play an important role in pollination. Fruit growth has a characteristic sigmoidal type of growth curve. Tree tomato has a high cultivar diversity. It has important health improving properties. Fruit set per inflorescence is low. Breeding and hybridization programs have been important for obtaining pathogen and disease resistant cultivars.