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 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.
Read more at: phys.org