Abstract
A Multi-parent Advanced Generation Intercross (MAGIC) tomato population was developed by crossing eight founder lines chosen to include a wide range of variability. The lines were previously genotyped by a genotyping by sequencing approach. The MAGIC population was used to develop genotypes with important agronomic traits and to perform the Participatory Plant Breeding (PPB). Among the 400 plants of generation 4 (G4) of the MAGIC population cultivated in an organic field experiment, 22 individuals were phenotypically selected and a molecular analysis was done for both presence of resistance genes and fruit shape (marker assisted selection) on G5 seedlings. Three selected plants showed both the pyramiding gene of resistance to the main diseases and the ovate gene for pear shape typology. The 400 G10 stable lines that obtained from single seed descent will represent an important genetic resource for the tomato scientific community. The MAGIC population G4 was also cultivated in three organic farms located in North, Central and South Italy to carry out the PPB. The plants showed significant phenotypic differences in development, productivity and fruit color. This variability was used to select families of tomato adapted to low input crop management, different environments, agricultural practices and market conditions.
Highlights
In the last years, the application both of intensive agronomical practices and cropping systems contributed to the progressive worsening of environmental conditions, induced by large application of deep soil tillage, inappropriate utilization of inorganic fertilizers and single-crop farming, especially of horticultural plants
The Multi-parent Advanced Generation Intercross (MAGIC) population developed in tomato, that is one of the most important vegetables consumed worldwide, together with the whole genome sequences of the founder lines and the collection obtained from the Participatory Plant Breeding (PPB) are extremely important to develop genotypes adapted to organic production and low input crop management
Even if we have already carried out the MAGIC population and the first adapted genotypes, the PPB research activity will proceed in the following years in each organic farm
Summary
The application both of intensive agronomical practices and cropping systems contributed to the progressive worsening of environmental conditions, induced by large application of deep soil tillage, inappropriate utilization of inorganic fertilizers and single-crop farming, especially of horticultural plants. Phenomena of soil fertility deterioration, nitrate losses, water pollution and soil compaction have often been observed. On this matter, there are many studies assessing the environmental sustainability of different cropping systems [1,2,3]. There are many studies assessing the environmental sustainability of different cropping systems [1,2,3] To overcome these problems a combination of good agricultural practices (GAP) and innovative plant breeding is needed. It is based on conservative techniques that increase the soil organic matter and environmental sustainability and reduces the ecological risks, due to a lower use of synthetic products [2]. The plant breeding, that essentially relies on the utilization of genetic variation within the breeding material, is a crucial tool to manage environmental
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