Field evaluation of CRISPR-Cas9-driven brachytic and jointless pedicel tomatoes identifies an association between the high extra-large-sized fruit yield of the brachytic-mediated shortened tomato and the jointless2

Abstract Fresh-market tomato is one of the most important vegetables in United States (US), and novel, cost-effective labor solutions are an issue current fresh-market production. The shortened stem driven by brachytic ( br ) jointless pedicel jointless2 j2 two traits that would contribute to knowledge-based breeding; based on these traits, appropriate plant architecture can be designed for ground cultivation systems will ultimately enable mechanical harvesting. We aimed evaluate effect CRISPR-Cas9-driven yield horticultural performance tomatoes using a system open field. conducted field trials during three successive seasons 2020 2021 variety Fla. 8059 (a non-brachytic jointed tomato; BR/BR : J2/J2 ; wild-type) its different mutants, br/br ), j2/j2 ). Field evaluations confirmed total mutants was not significantly from wild-type. However, there significant association between high extra-large-sized fruit mutant mutation. also revealed clear positive impact mutation proportion fruits laying raised plastic bed. Our results optimization developing varieties adoption low input management practices.