INHERITANCE OF TOMATO FRUIT CAROTENOID CONTENT IN POPULATIONS DERIVED FROM A CROSS OF LYCOPERSICON ESCULENTUM × L. CHEESMANII

Abstract

Tomato fruit carotenoid content was measured in mature fruit of parental, F1, F2 and backcross populations derived from an initial cross of L. esculentum, cv. Floradade, with the orange fruited L. cheesmanii, LA 317. Segregation patterns for orange flesh color and percent β-carotene in F1, F2 and backcross populations fit expected models for a single dominant gene conditioning a high percentage β-carotene content and resultant orange fruit pigmentation. The inheritance of β-carotene in L. cheesmanii paralleled that of the B gene described in L. hirsutum. β-carotene was generally accumulated at the expense of lycopene in orange-fleshed individuals. Correlations between carotenoid type and total carotenoid content were not evident. Variation observed in segregating F2 and backcross populations for total carotenoid content suggested that gains in selection for increased β-carotene and lycopene content may be realized.