[Dynamic QTL and correlated characters of tomato soluble solid content.]

Area of Science:

• Plant genetics and breeding
• Agricultural science
• Food science

Context:

• Soluble solid content (SSC) is a crucial quality trait in tomatoes, influencing taste and consumer preference.
• Understanding the genetic basis of SSC and its correlations with other fruit traits is essential for breeding programs.
• Previous research has identified QTLs for SSC, but their dynamic nature across fruit development stages requires further investigation.

Purpose:

• To identify and map quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with soluble solid content (SSC) in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum).
• To analyze the dynamic changes of these QTLs across different fruit development stages (green ripe, yellow ripe, red ripe).
• To investigate the correlations between SSC and other fruit quality traits, including fruit weight (FW), fruit shape index (FSI), soluble sugar, vitamin C (VC), and organic acid.

Summary:

• A study using 206 F2:3 families identified dynamic QTLs for tomato SSC, with 4 QTLs in the green ripe stage and 8 in the red ripe stage.
• Two markers, LEaat006 and Tomato|TC162363, were consistently detected across stages, showing potential for marker-assisted selection (MAS).
• Correlation analysis revealed stage-specific relationships between SSC and traits like soluble sugar, organic acid, and fruit weight, with a linear regression model demonstrating over 95% fitness.

Impact:

• Identified specific genetic markers (LEaat006, Tomato|TC162363) that can be utilized in marker-assisted selection (MAS) for enhancing soluble solid content in tomato breeding.
• Provided insights into the dynamic genetic control of soluble solid content during tomato fruit development, aiding in the selection of superior genotypes.
• Established a robust linear regression model for predicting soluble solid content based on correlated traits, offering a valuable tool for breeding and quality assessment.