University of Georgia scientists discover genes that control the shape of vegetables and fruits.

Summary

University of Georgia scientists discover genes that control the shape of vegetables and fruits.

Situation

The shape and size of vegetables and fruits determine the culinary purpose of the produce. Constraints of mechanical harvest and consumer preference require the correct appearance of the product when releasing profitable varieties. The lack of knowledge on morphological traits often hampers the efforts by plant breeders to create improved types. More information would greatly assist in the development of new cultivars in a variety of crops.

Response

Each market class requires a specific shape and size of the produce, which for tomato is controlled by only a handful of genes1. The knowledge of the genes has advanced the efficacy in tomato breeding programs because it enables the creation of cultivars that feature the appropriate dimensions of the produce. Further insights into how these genes function has recently led to the discovery of other genes that aide in fruit shape regulation. Investigations with collaborators at other institutions showed that the same genes that affect tomato fruit shape also influence potato tuber shape, as well as the shape of melons, cucumbers, leaves and grains2. 1. Rodríguez, G. R., S. Muños, C. Anderson, S.-C. Sim, A. Michel, M. Causse, B. B. McSpadden Gardener, D. M. Francis and E. van der Knaap. 2011. Distribution of SUN, OVATE, LC and FAS in the Tomato Germplasm and the Relationship to Fruit Shape Diversity. Plant Physiol 156: 275-285. 2. Wu, S., B. Zhang, N. Keyhaninejad, G.R. Rodriguez, H.-J. Kim, M. Chakrabarti, E. Illa-Berenguer, N.K. Taitano, M.J. Gonzalo, A. Diaz, Y. Pan, C. Leisner, D. Halterman, C.R. Buell, Y. Weng, S.H. Jansky, H. van Eck, J. Willemsen, A. Monforte, T. Meulia and E. van der Knaap. 2018. A common genetic mechanism underlies morphological diversity in fruits and other plant organs. Nat. Communications 9: 4734

Impact

We currently have a much better understanding of the regulation of the shapes in vegetables and fruits. This knowledge greatly influences the efficacy of breeding programs for tomato and virtually all fruits and vegetables of economic importance.

State Issue

Plant Production

Details

• Year: 2018
• Geographic Scope: International
• County: Clarke
• Unit, Department, or Group: Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics and Genomics (IPBGG)
• Program Areas:
  • Agriculture & Natural Resources