Ferias de agro-biodiversidad cubanas: vía para la selección de variedades de tomate.

The aim of this study was to determine, in agro- biodiversity fairs, farmers’ contribution regarding the selection of tomato varieties (Solanum lycopersicon L.) better adapted to the characteristics of a locality or specific productive system. The research was carried out at the National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, San José de Las Lajas, Cuba, in 2008-2009 season, applying the traditional methods to assess varieties; subsequently, at an agro-biodiversity fair in Batabanó, in 2010-2011 season, taking into account the producers criteria on the varieties studied. The statistical evaluation was focused on the descriptive analysis of the variables, analysis of variance, conglomerate formation, and use of contingency tables. The results of the comparative test were crosschecked to the data from the agro-biodiversity fair. In order to discriminate varieties, producers took into account not only the variables related to the performance, but also others related to their farming expertise and personal preferencesCuban agro-biodiversity fairs: a way to select tomato varietie