Molecular breeding of a novel orange-brown tomato fruit with enhanced beta-carotene and chlorophyll accumulation

• Published in: Hereditas Vol. 154; no. 1; p. 1
• Main Authors: Manoharan, Ranjith Kumar, Jung, Hee-Jeong, Hwang, Indeok, Jeong, Namhee, Kho, Kang Hee, Chung, Mi-Young, Nou, Ill-Sup
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central 11.01.2017
• Subjects: beta Carotene - chemistry; Chlorophyll - chemistry; Crosses, Genetic; DNA Shuffling; Fruit - chemistry; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Genes, Plant; Phenotype; Plant Breeding; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Solanum lycopersicum - genetics; Chlorophyll; β-carotene; Orange-brown tomato; CYC-B; SGR
• ISSN: 1601-5223; 0018-0661; 1601-5223
• DOI: 10.1186/s41065-016-0023-z

Tomatoes provide a significant dietary source of the carotenoids, lycopene and β-carotene. During ripening, carotenoid accumulation determines the fruit colors while chlorophyll degradation. These traits have been, and continue to be, a significant focus for plant breeding efforts. Previous work has found strong evidence for a relationship between gene expression and the orange color of fleshy fruit. Other work has identified a point mutation in that impedes chlorophyll degradation and causes brown flesh color to be retained in some tomato varieties. We crossed two inbred lines, KNY2 (orange) and KNB1 (brown) and evaluated the relationship between these genes for their effect on fruit color. Phenotypes of F2 generation plants were analyzed and a novel 'orange-brown' fruit color was identified. We confirm two SNPs, one in and another in gene sequence, associated with segregation of 'orange-brown' fruit color in F2 generation. The carotenoid and chlorophyll content of a fleshy fruit was assessed across the different phenotypes and showed a strong correlation with expression pattern of carotenoid biosynthesis genes and SGR function. The orange-brown fruit has high β-carotene and chlorophyll. Our results provide valuable information for breeders to develop tomato fruit of a novel color using molecular markers.