ISHS Acta Horticulturae 487: VI International Symposium on Processing Tomato & Workshop on Irrigation & Fertigation of Processing Tomato
GENETIC MANIPULATION OF PHYTOCHROMES IN TOMATO (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.): A NOVEL APPROACH TO CROP IMPROVEMENT |
| Authors: | R. Alba, M.-M. Cordonnier-Pratt, L.H. Pratt, C.J. Valenzano, S.J. Kays |
| Keywords: | Lycopersicon esculentum, phytochrome, photoreceptors, yield, paste qualities |
| Abstract:
We are testing the hypothesis that genetic manipulation of phytochrome genes (PHY) can improve agronomic traits in tomato. Here, we report our analyses of fruit from two different PHY mutants and a line over-expressing a PHYA transgene. A MoneyMaker line containing a PHYBI mutation has increased yield (total kg) when grown in the greenhouse (74%) or the field (39%). PHYBI mutations do not affect fresh fruit weight (FW), dry weight/fresh weight (DW/FW), total soluble solids (SS), paste viscosity, the number of seeds per fruit, nor fruit color. A MoneyMaker line containing a PHYA mutation produces fruit with qualities important to the paste industry. Compared to wild-type (WT) fruit, PHYA mutant fruit have increased DW/FW, more SS, increased paste viscosity, and fewer seeds per fruit. A transgenic UC-82B line over-expressing PHYA also produces fruit with altered qualities. Compared to WT fruit, this PHYA over-expressor produces fruit that yield less viscous paste and have more seeds. Collectively, these results indicate significant potential for improving tomato crops via the genetic manipulation of phytochrome loci. | |
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