Ripening Behavior of Wild Tomato Species

Regulation of tomato fruit ripening

Fruit ripening is a sophisticatedly orchestrated developmental process, unique to plants, that results in major physiological and metabolic changes, ultimately leading to fruit decay and seed dispersal. Because of their strong impact on fruit nutritional and sensory qualities, the ripeningassociated changes have been a matter of sustained investigation aiming at unravelling the molecular and ge...

The developmental trajectory of leaflet morphology in wild tomato species.

Leaves between species vary in their size, serration, complexity, and shape. However, phylogeny is not the only predictor of leaf morphology. The shape of a leaf is the result of intricate developmental processes, including heteroblastic progression (changes in leaf size and shape at different nodes) and the developmental stage of an organ. The leaflets that arise from complex leaves are additi...

Evolution of Disease Resistance Genes in Wild Tomato Species

Genome Sequence of the Wild Tomato Species, Solanum pimpinellifolium

We have heard about developments in genome sequencing of key Solanaceae family members, but now it is the wild species turn. Wild species provide a rich resource of genetic diversity and have been integral parts of breeding programs, especially for tomato. The following two articles highlight recent developments in the sequencing of two tomato wild species, Solanum pimpinellifolium, the closest...

Effect of salinity on tomato fruit ripening.

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) plants from various cultivars growing on half-strength Hoagland solution were exposed at anthesis to 3 or 6 grams per liter NaCl. Salinity shortened the time of fruit development by 4 to 15%. Fruits of salt-treated plants were smaller and tasted better than did fruits of control plants. This result was obtained both for ripe fruits tested on the day of pick...