Genes involved in auxin biosynthesis, transport and signalling underlie the extreme adventitious root phenotype of the tomato aer mutant.

The use of tomato rootstocks has helped to alleviate the soaring abiotic stresses provoked by the adverse effects of climate change. Lateral and adventitious roots can improve topsoil exploration and nutrient uptake, shoot biomass and resulting overall yield. It is essential to understand the genetic basis of root structure development and how lateral and adventitious roots are produced.

Carotenoid retention during post-harvest storage of Capsicum annuum: the role of the fruit surface structure.

In this study, a chilli pepper (Capsicum annuum) panel for post-harvest carotenoid retention was studied to elucidate underlying mechanisms associated with this commercial trait of interest. Following drying and storage, some lines within the panel had an increase in carotenoids approaching 50% compared with the initial content at the fresh fruit stage. Other lines displayed a 25% loss of carotenoids.

Missense mutation of a class B heat shock factor is responsible for the tomato bushy root-2 phenotype.

The bushy root-2 (brt-2) tomato mutant has twisting roots, and slower plant development. Here we used whole genome resequencing and genetic mapping to show that brt-2 is caused by a serine to cysteine (S75C) substitution in the DNA binding domain (DBD) of a heat shock factor class B (HsfB) encoded by SolycHsfB4a. This gene is orthologous to the Arabidopsis SCHIZORIZA gene, also known as AtHsfB4.

Understanding colour retention in red chilli pepper fruit using a metabolite profiling approach.

Carotenoids are the pigments responsible for conferring the characteristic deep red colour to chilli pepper. The post-harvest retention of this colour is a key trait that governs the price of the produce. Determining colour retention and the associated underlying biochemical mechanisms are important issues that require investigation.

Carotenoid biosynthesis and sequestration in red chilli pepper fruit and its impact on colour intensity traits.

The exploitation of diverse natural variation has been a key progenitor of crop breeding over the last decade. However, commercial practice is now turning to the use of accessions with less extreme phenotypes as genetic donors. In the present study, the carotenoid formation in a red-fruited discovery panel of Capsicum annuum (chilli pepper) has been characterized.

High throughput quantitative volatile profiling of melons with silicone rod extraction - thermal desorption - GC-MS for plant breeding line selection.

Volatile compounds determine the aroma of fruits, giving their unique flavor characteristics. The aim of many plant breeding projects is to improve the consumers' flavor experience when eating fresh produce. Large scale breeding trials produce thousands of samples which need volatile profiling amongst other phenotypes.

Genetic improvement of tomato by targeted control of fruit softening.

Controlling the rate of softening to extend shelf life was a key target for researchers engineering genetically modified (GM) tomatoes in the 1990s, but only modest improvements were achieved. Hybrids grown nowadays contain 'non-ripening mutations' that slow ripening and improve shelf life, but adversely affect flavor and color. We report substantial, targeted control of tomato softening, without affecting other aspects of ripening, by silencing a gene encoding a pectate lyase.