Production Characteristics of Cherry Tomato Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. var. cerasiforme (Dunal) in the Strumica Region

The aim of this research is to study and identify the similarities and differences between the table variety of tomato Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) and cherry tomato Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. var. cerasiforme (Dunal) grown in open fi eld during the vegetative period in 2008 and 2009. Different cherry tomato lines were compared to the commercial table tomato variety Melodia as control. The lines of cherry tomato and control differ in the length of phenological phases, fruit type and fruit utilization. Each of the cherry tomato line carries genetic potential and characteristics which can be utilized in the breeding process. For that reason, detailed study and characterization in different production conditions is necessary, which on one hand will sort out lines with positive characteristics and on the other hand will enrich the tomato gene fund in the country