From wild relatives to super tomatoes: Unearthing new genetic potential

Advancing the frontiers of agricultural genetics, a newly developed eight-way tomato Multiparental advanced generation intercross (MAGIC) population serves as a rich genetic resource that unlocks diverse traits from wild tomato species. This innovative tool empowers researchers to identify and analyze genes tied to pivotal horticultural characteristics, enhancing tomato breeding strategies and addressing critical agricultural needs.

Tomato breeding has historically depended on a narrow genetic pool, leading to decreased diversity and loss of valuable traits. Traditional methods and biparental populations fall short in harnessing the full potential of wild relatives, posing challenges in improving traits like fruit size, disease resistance, and adaptability. Addressing these challenges, comprehensive genetic resources that integrate diverse alleles from wild and weedy tomatoes are essential for discovering novel genes and boosting breeding efficiency.

In collaboration with ENEA, researchers from the Universitat Politècnica de València developed an eight-way tomato Multiparental advanced generation intercross (MAGIC) population combining Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme and Solanum pimpinellifolium. Published (DOI: 10.1093/hr/uhae154) in Horticulture Research on June 3, 2024, the study highlights how this population aids in identifying genes associated with key traits. By intercrossing eight founders with diverse genetic backgrounds, the team created 354 genotyped lines, bridging the gap between wild and cultivated tomatoes and providing breeders with a powerful tool for crop improvement.

The tomato MAGIC (ToMAGIC) population comprises 354 lines derived from eight diverse founder lines of wild and weedy tomatoes, revealing 6,488 high-quality SNPs. Phenotyping identified associations with traits such as fruit size, leaf morphology, and pigmentation. Notably, the WUSCHEL gene was linked to locule number, a crucial trait in domestication, while the FW2.2 gene was associated with fruit weight. Dominant wild alleles offer potential for enhancing cultivated varieties. A novel mutation in the SlMYB-ATV gene was also discovered, influencing anthocyanin production, particularly in cold-adapted founders. These findings underscore ToMAGIC's role in uncovering genetic variations crucial for developing resilient, productive tomatoes.

“The ToMAGIC population marks a major advancement in tomato genetics,” stated Dr. Santiago Vilanova, lead researcher from the Universitat Politècnica de València. “By incorporating wild and weedy relatives, we’ve created a resource that not only taps into uncharted genetic diversity but also enhances our ability to discover and validate genes. This breakthrough enables us to overcome genetic limitations and develop superior tomato cultivars with enhanced traits.”

The ToMAGIC population holds significant potential for tomato breeding, offering a pathway to integrate wild genetic diversity into breeding programs. It helps identify novel genes governing key traits, enabling the creation of resilient, high-yielding tomato varieties. Beyond research, ToMAGIC can directly impact the selection of elite lines for commercial breeding, enhancing crop performance across varying environments and meeting the rising demand for better agricultural productivity.

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References

DOI

10.1093/hr/uhae154

Original Source URL

https://doi.org/10.1093/hr/uhae154

Funding information

This work was supported by grant PID2020-118627RB-I00 funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033, TED2021-129296B-I00 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and European Union Europea NextGenerationEU/PRTR, CIPROM/2021/020 funded by Conselleria d’Innovació, Universitats, Ciència i Societat Digital of the Generalitat Valenciana, the HARNESSTOM innovation action (grant agreement no. 101000716) funded by the European Commission H2020 Research and Innovation Programme, and the Horizon Europe PRO-GRACE project (grant agreement no. 10194738). Andrea Arrones is grateful to Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades for a predoctoral (FPU18/01742) contract. Oussama Antar is grateful to Conselleria d'Innovació, Ciència i Societat Digital of the Generalitat Valenciana for a predoctoral grant within the Santiago Grisolía program (CIGRIS/2021/113). Leandro Pereira-Dias is grateful to Universitat Politècnica de Valencia and the Spanish Ministerio de Universidades for a post-doctoral grant under the Margarita Salas funded by the European Union NextGenerationEU/PRTR. Andrea Solana is grateful to Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación for a predoctoral grant (PRE2022-102368) funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and FSE+. Pietro Gramazio is grateful to Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación for a post-doctoral grant (RYC2021-031999-I) funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and the European Union through NextGenerationEU/PRTR. Funding for open access: Universitat Politècnica de València.

About Horticulture Research

Horticulture Research is an open access journal of Nanjing Agricultural University and ranked number two in the Horticulture category of the Journal Citation Reports ™ from Clarivate, 2023. The journal is committed to publishing original research articles, reviews, perspectives, comments, correspondence articles and letters to the editor related to all major horticultural plants and disciplines, including biotechnology, breeding, cellular and molecular biology, evolution, genetics, inter-species interactions, physiology, and the origination and domestication of crops.