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Kelussia odoratissima Mozaff. is an Iranian endemic plant, with use as a leafy vegetable, spice, and medicinal herb. This plant is grown in high-altitude mountains and harvested annually in the spring. Five wild populations of K. odoratissima were collected from Ardal, Chelgerd, Sar-Agha-Seyyed, Mogooei, Lordegan regions of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, Iran. Mineral composition of samples was analyzed. Differences were detected among populations. The Ardal population had the highest K (5.30 mg∙100 g−1) and Mn (136.60 mg∙kg−1) contents. The highest P (0.89 mg∙100 g−1), Ca (2.58 mg∙100 g−1) and Mg (0.55 mg∙100 g−1) contents were in the Sar-Agha-Seyyed population. The highest Fe (1258 mg∙kg−1) and Cu (9.81 mg∙100 g−1) contents were in the Chelgerd populations. There was a significant, negative, correlation between Zn and P. Differences in mineral composition of K. odoratissima corresponded to variation among populations. It appears wild celery is a good source of minerals compared to other common leafy vegetables in Apiaceae family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breeding of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L) with a focus on yield has indirectly led to reductions in flavor. Development of tomato genotypes with high quality and yield needs efficient tools to monitor trait association in breeding. The objective of the work was to combine simultaneous selection for yield and quality in elite segregating populations of tomato breeding using multivariate methods. Eighty-three tomato lines (S3) were produced, using the modified pedigree method, from crossings of commercial hybrids. Factor analysis determined five hidden factors, which justified 68.62% of variation. The first factor, with the highest percent of justified variance, was effective for fruit yield. The second factor with the most coefficients was effective for fruit quality. The third factor, with extensive, positive, coefficients for fruit length, fruit diameter, and pericarp thickness, was effective for fruit characterization. The fourth factor, with the most factorial load over number of fruit per cluster and high negative weight, was effective for durability of flowers. The fifth factor was affected by number of flowers per cluster, and vitamin C and total soluble solids content. In triplot analysis partially inbred lines 75, 76, 77, and 78 had high values of the first factor and was effective for high performance. The most important traits, based on stepwise regression, were number of fruit per line, single fruit weight, fruit diameter and pericarp thickness. Path analysis indicated number of fruit per line and single fruit weight had the highest positive direct effect on yield and direct selection for these traits is possible. Based on their high positive loading for factors 1 and 3, that had relation to fruit yield and moderate loading for factor 2, where maturity index was negative, partially inbred lines 75 and 78 can be used for subsequent tomato breeding. In tomato, important traits for yield include single fruit weight, fruit length and diameter, and pericarp thickness and titratable acidity must be considered simultaneously to maintain flavor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]