Acylsugar Contents Research Articles

Dwarf Tomato Plants Allow for Managing Agronomic Yield Gains with Fruit Quality and Pest Resistance through Backcrossing

Increased productivity, nutritional quality, and pest resistance have been primary breeding goals. However, managing such increases in a genotype is challenging. In this context, gene introgression using dwarf plants is an alternative; however, there are no dwarf Santa Cruz tomato varieties for direct use in breeding programs. Therefore, the objective of this study was to improve fruit quality and pest resistance through successive backcrossing of dwarf Santa Cruz tomato populations with agronomic potential. Six and 13 dwarf tomato populations obtained from the first and second backcrossing, respectively, the donor parent, and the commercial cultivar ‘Santa Clara’ as the check, totalling 21 treatments, were evaluated. Univariate analysis and computational intelligence were used to evaluate the best genotypes. All agronomic variables showed significant and progressive increases after the first and second backcrossing. The highlighted BC2 populations were Sci#16.1-2, Sci#25.1,1-2, Sci#25.1,2-2, Sci#3.1,1-2, Sci#3.1,2-2, Sci#8.3,1-2, and Sci#8.3,2-2, with significant increases in mean fruit weight, pulp thickness, fruit length and diameter, and acyl sugar content. The selected BC2 populations can be used as male parents to obtain normal hybrids to achieve increased productivity, nutritional quality, and a broader spectrum of pest resistance owing to the presence of acyl sugars in the leaflets.

Acylsugar protection of Nicotiana benthamiana confers mortality and transgenerational fitness costs in Spodoptera litura

Acylsugars are secondary metabolites that are produced in the trichomes of some solanaceous species and can help control several herbivorous insect pests. Previously, knockout mutations (asat2 mutants) were shown to significantly reduce the acylsugar content of Nicotiana benthamiana, and significantly improve the fitness of six generalist insect herbivores. The current study compared the significant mortality and fitness costs in Spodoptera litura conferred by acylsugar protection of N. benthamiana (wild-type plants) compared to S. litura strains reared in acylsugar-deficient plants with depleted acylsugar biosynthesis. Acylsugar protection prolonged the developmental duration and decreased viability in the larval stages. Further, the fecundity of females and the hatching rate of eggs significantly decreased under acylsugar protection. For F1 offspring, acylsugar protection still exerted significant negative effects on larval survival rate and fecundity per female. The net reproductive rate and relative fitness of the S. litura strain were strongly affected by acylsugar. Altogether, these results indicate that acylsugar could contribute to plant protection due to toxicity to pests, diffused availability, and low environmental persistence. This could represent a complementary and alternative strategy to control populations of insect pests.

Relationship between Acylsugars and Leaf Trichomes: Mediators of Pest Resistance in Tomato.

Simple SummarySeveral pests have the potential to cause major damage to tomatoes. The two-spotted spider mite and whitefly are examples of pests that attack tomato crops. Management of these pests involves several techniques; the use of chemical products is the most adopted strategy. However, growing resistant genotypes is a promising strategy in pest management, reducing the use of chemical products. In this work, we sought to identify genotypes more resistant to the mite and whitefly using advanced populations of tomato (F2BC3) obtained from the cross between S. lycopersicum “Redenção” and S. pennellii, accession LA-716. Results indicated a greater resistance in the genotypes with high levels of acylsugars, a chemical compound commonly found in S. pennellii tomatoes. Consequently, genotypes with increased levels of acylsugar can be used in breeding programs for pest resistance.Tomato plants are highly susceptible to pests. Among the control methods, genetic improvement with introgression of resistance genes from wild accessions into commercial tomato lines is the best alternative for an integrated pest management (IPM). Thus, the objective of this study was to select tomato genotypes in advanced populations (F2BC3), with higher levels of acylsugar content, greater recurrent parent genome recovery, and resistance to Tetranychus urticae and Bemisia tabaci inherited from Solanum pennellii. For pest resistance, bioassays were assessed: nine high-acylsugar genotypes, four low-acylsugar genotypes, and the parents, Solanum lycopersicum or ‘Redenção’, and Solanum pennellii LA-716. Glandular and non-glandular trichomes were quantified. A negative correlation was measured between acylsugar content in the leaflets and pest behavior. Pest resistance was found in the selected F2BC3 genotypes with high-acylsugar content, indicating that this allelochemical was efficient in controlling the arthropod pests.

Agronomic potential, pest resistance, and fruit quality in BC1F3 dwarf round tomato populations

Combining broad pest resistance, high yield, and nutritional quality of fruit in the same hybrid is a challenge for round tomato breeders. Thus, development of a dwarf round tomato line for obtaining hybrids may be an excellent alternative for achieving such objectives. The aim of this study was to evaluate the agronomic potential, fruit quality, and pest resistance of BC1F3 dwarf round tomato populations. We evaluated 13 treatments and 4 replications. Treatments consisted of 10 BC1F3 dwarf populations originating from self-fertilization of dwarf populations selected in BC1F2, plus both parents (recurrent and donor) and a commercial hybrid. The traits evaluated were yield, number of fruit, mean weight, number of locules, shape, pulp thickness, longitudinal and transverse diameter of the fruit, precocity index, and soluble solids, β-carotene, lycopene, and acylsugar content. The data were analyzed through the means test. In general, there was an increase of up to 1035% in average fruit weight of the dwarf populations in relation to the donor parent. In addition, some dwarf populations had fruit with 49% more lycopene compared to the commercial hybrid, as well as greater acylsugar content in the leaves (273%). The UFU-DW22 dwarf population stood out with good agronomic potential, higher lycopene content in the fruit, and high acylsugar content, which provides pest resistance. To continue this research, a second backcross is suggested in order to obtain lines and, posteriorly, hybrids with round fruits and compact plants, pest resistance and nutritional quality of fruit.

Effects of High-Level Acylsugar-Producing Tomato Lines on the Development of Tomato Psyllids (Hemiptera: Triozidae).

Acylsugars have been shown to provide activity against numerous insect pests of tomatoes. Comparison of acylsugar levels in four tomato plant lines, FA7/AS, FA2/AS, CU071026, and 'Yellow Pear', found that the acylsugar contents in the elevated acylsugar lines were significantly higher than the commercial Yellow Pear (control) tomato plant line. Adult choice tests indicated that the tomato psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli, preferred to settle on the Yellow Pear and FA2/AS lines over the line with the highest content of acylsugars, FA7/AS, and the parental line, CU071026. The no-choice test demonstrated that adults laid fewer eggs on the high acylsugar tomato lines than on the control tomato line, Yellow Pear. For all high acylsugar lines, the relative growth index of the psyllid was significantly lower compared with the commercial line, indicating a reduced potential for population growth. Although some tomato psyllids completed their life cycle on the high acylsugar tomato plant lines, the percent survival of psyllids to the adult stage when developing on the high acylsugar lines was significantly less (range = 43.7-57.1%) than on the commercial tomato line (83.8%). All mortality occurred during the early stages of development (egg stage to third instar), which has implications for acquisition and transmission of Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum, the causal agent of tomato vein greening disease. Therefore, with reduced attractiveness for tomato psyllids and significantly reduced survival, the high-acylsugar tomato plant lines have the potential to be part of an integrated pest management program for this pest.

Resistance of processing tomato genotypes to leafminer (Tuta absoluta)

ABSTRACT Tomato crop presents several obstacles that hinder its cultivation, especially the tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae). To reduce damages caused by this pest, the development of resistant cultivars is one of the main alternatives. In this study we aimed to select tomato genotypes with high acylsugar contents and resistant to tomato leafminer. For this, contrasting F2RC1 genotypes for allelochemical contents, resulting from the interspecific cross between cultivar Redenção with processing characteristics, and the wild species Solanum pennellii accession ‘LA-716’, with high acylsugar contents, were submitted to a test of resistance to tomato leafminer with 14 treatments, being eight genotypes with high acylsugar content and four with low acylsugar content, in addition to the parental. Significant correlations and contrasts were observed between acylsugar contents and traits related to the resistance to tomato leafminer. The genotype RVTA-2010-31-pl#177 presented similar behavior to the wild parental, demonstrating potential to advance in the tomato breeding program for industrial processing with resistance to tomato leafminer.

Multivariate techniques in the determination of genetic diversity in pest-resistant mini tomato genotypes

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to compare methods of multivariate analysis on the evaluation of genetic diversity of mini tomato and to identify promising genotypes with resistance to pests. The experiment was conducted at the Vegetable Experiment Station of the Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Monte Carmelo campus, from April 2013 to November 2016. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with 16 treatments and four replications totaling 64 plots, and each plot represented by five plants. Sixteen genotypes were characterized, 12 from the F2RC1 generation, obtained through the interspecific crossing between the wild access LA-716 (Solanum pennellii) and pre-commercial lines of mini tomato (UFU-73 and UFU-2) (Solanum lycopersicum) and the UFU-2 lines. The content of acyl sugar, the amount of glandular trichomes (types I, IV, VI and VII), twospotted spider mite and whitefly resistance were evaluated. We concluded that there exist genetic variability between the genotypes. The number of groups formed by the canonical variated analysis was higher (four groups) than that obtained by the Tocher method (three groups) and UPGMA (three groups), demonstrating a greater discrimination power. The Tocher and UPGMA methods were consistent in the analysis of the genetic divergence in pest resistant germplasm of tomato, with the acyl sugar content being the most important variable. Genotype UFU-73-F2RC1 # 11 is resistant to pest attack, while the other studied lines have intermediate resistance.

Resistance to whitefly (Bemisia argentifolii) and repellency to the two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) in tomato plant hybrids with high leaf contents of acylsugar and the Mi gene

The aim of this study is to verify levels of resistance to whitefly (Bemisia argentifolii) and the two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) in experimental hybrids of tomato plants with high acylsugar content and that bear the Mi allele, and to compare the levels of resistance to those pests according to the presence or absence of acylsugars and the Mi allele. Eleven genotypes were tested in assessment of resistance to whitefly: two inbred lines, TOM-760 (Mi/Mi), with high acylsugar content, and TOM-684 (Mi/Mi), with low acylsugar content; six experimental hybrids heterozygous for acylsugar contents, TEX-407 (Mi+/Mi), TEX-408 (Mi+/Mi), TEX-409 (Mi+/Mi), TEX-410 (Mi+/Mi), TEX-411 (Mi+/Mi), and TEX-412 (Mi/Mi); Santa Clara cultivar (Mi+/Mi+) with low acylsugar content; and two control hybrids with low acylsugar content, Ibiza (Mi+/Mi) and Carina (Mi+/Mi). In the test for repellency to the two-spotted spider mite, we used the same genotypes as in the whitefly resistance test, except for the Carina hybrid. Genotypes homozygous for acylsugars and Mi, heterozygous for Mi/Mi or Mi+/Mi acylsugars, and homozygous and heterozygous for Mi alone showed levels of resistance to the Bemisia argentifolii fly, in contrast with the genotype with low contents of acylsugars and Mi+/Mi+. Genotypes homozygous and heterozygous for acylsugars exhibit higher levels of repellency to the Tetranychus urticae mite than genotypes with low contents of acylsugar. The Mi gene, however, was not effective in providing resistance to the two-spotted spider mite. The effects of resistance to Bemisia argentifolii shown by the acylsugars are added to the effects of the Mi gene.

Tomato genotypes with determinate growth and high acylsugar content presenting resistance to spider mite

Abstract Currently, the main control strategy for arthropod-pests in tomato cropping is the use of synthetic chemical insecticides and miticides. The study aimed to select tomato genotypes of Santa Cruz type, with determinate growth habit, which were rich in acylsugar and presented resistance to spider mite. The evaluated segregating populations were derived from interspecific crossing and were in the advanced generation F2BC2. Genotypes were assessed for acylsugars content, present in leaflets, trichomes at abaxial and adaxial parts and a repellence bioassay to the mite was performed. It was found that the genotype UFU-102-F2BC2#13 stood out in comparison to the others, showing determinate growth habit, high acylsugar content and resistance to spider mite. It was also possible to obtain genotypes that were similar to the wild specie S. pennellii, regarding the acylsugar content.

Mini tomato genotypes resistant to the silverleaf whitefly and to two-spotted spider mites.

The mini tomato production has expanded, becoming an amazing alternative for enterprise. Despite all commercial potential, the cultivation has the occurrence of pests as main obstacle during the crop development. Nowadays, there are no researches that aimed obtaining genotypes with high acylsugar content, capable of providing a broad-spectrum resistance to pests. This study aimed the selection of mini tomato genotypes, with high acylsugar content, and checking the resistance level to the silverleaf whitefly [Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius)] and to the two-spotted spider mites (Tetranychus urticae Koch). Sixteen genotypes were evaluated, from which 12 were on the generation F2BC1, originated from the interespecific cross between Solanum pennellii versus Solanum lycopersicum L. and 4 were check treatments, being three of cultivated tomatos (cv. Santa Clara, UFU-02, and UFU-73) and the wild accession LA-716 (S. pennellii). The variables analyzed were acylsugar content, repellency to the silverleaf whitefly, repellence to the two-spotted spider mites, and density of glandular trichomes. The genotypes UFU-22-F2BC1#9 and UFU-73-F2BC1#11 have high acylsugar content and both are resistant to the pests that were evaluated. New studies must be conducted seeking for inbred lines, obtained from the selected genotypes, aiming to get commercial hybrids with high acylsugar content.

Evaluation of wild tomato accessions (Solanum spp.) for resistance to two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch) based on trichome type and acylsugar content

Tomato wild relatives are important sources of resistance to many pests of cultivated tomato [Solanum lycopersicum L. (syn. Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)]. Eleven wild tomato accessions previously identified at AVRDC—The World Vegetable Center as resistant to Bemisia tabaci were evaluated for resistance to the two-spotted spider mite [Tetranychus urticae (Koch.)] based on egg numbers using the leaf disc and Tanglefoot no-choice bioassays, and damage scores in choice bioassays. Highest resistance based on choice and no-choice bioassays was identified in AVRDC S. galapagense accessions VI057400, VI045262, VI037869 and VI037239, and S. cheesmaniae accession VI037240, all of which are new sources of T. urticae resistance. In addition, S. pimpinellifolium accession VI030462 exhibited resistance only in the no-choice bioassay based on egg numbers. Resistance to T. urticae based on the number of eggs from the no-choice bioassays was positively correlated with density of type IV glandular trichomes and negatively correlated with densities of type V trichomes. All resistant accessions accumulated high levels of total acylsugars, which were positively associated with type IV trichomes. There was a significant negative relationship between acylsugar content and T. urticae egg numbers from the no-choice bioassays. There was high correlation between the results from the leaf disc test and the Tanglefoot no-choice bioassay. These findings support the possible presence of broad-based insect and mite resistance in accessions closely related to cultivated tomato.

Indirect selection of industrial tomato genotypes that are resistant to spider mites (Tetranychus urticae).

Acyl sugars present in the tomato Solanum lycopersicum 'LA-716' accession confer good levels of resistance to arthropod pests. The objective of the present study was to select F₂ plants from the interspecific cross Solanum pennellii 'LA-716' x Solanum lycopersicum 'Redenção' to assess resistance to spider mites (Tetranychus urticae) based on the leaf acyl sugar content and repellence tests. Four genotypes were selected with high leaflet acyl sugar content (RVTA-2010 pl#31, RVTA-2010 pl#75, RVTA-2010 pl#83, and RVTA-2010 pl#94), and an additional three genotypes with low acyl sugar content were also selected (RVTA-2010 pl#33, RVTA-2010 pl#39, and RVTA-2010 pl#73). The results from the in vivo tests used to confirm the selection of plants resistant to mites indicated that the genotypes with high acyl sugars content did not differ from the resistant parent LA-716. The negative correlation between acyl sugar content and the distance run by the mite along the leaflet surface confirmed the association between high and low allelochemical content and resistance. The medium degree of dominance (MDD) was estimated (MDD = -0.83), indicating that the high acyl sugar content was due to incomplete dominance of a recessive allele. A value of 81.85% was found for the broad sense heritability estimate, which suggests that most among-plant variation in the F2 generation is genetically based. Furthermore, 0.69 genes were estimated, which presumably confirms monogenic inheritance. Thus, indirect selection was an efficient method used to obtain industrial tomato plants that are resistant to spider mites.

Resistance to Bemisia tabaci biotype B of Solanum pimpinellifolium is associated with higher densities of type IV glandular trichomes and acylsugar accumulation

AbstractAdvances in tomato breeding for pest resistance have been achieved via gene introgression from wild Solanum (section Lycopersicon) species (Solanaceae). Ninety‐nine F3 families derived from an interspecific cross using as parental lines Solanum lycopersicum L. ‘LAM‐148' (susceptible standard) and Solanum pimpinellifolium L. ‘TO‐937‐15’ (multiple pest resistance accession with type IV glandular trichomes and acylsugar accumulation) were evaluated for their resistance against the whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) biotype B in free‐choice and no‐choice tests for oviposition and adult colonization. The parental lines and eight F3 families with contrasting levels of resistance against the whitefly were selected and investigated in additional assays, which included the estimation of trichome densities and foliar acylsugar levels. The F3 families BTR‐302 and BTR‐331 exhibited low amounts of eggs of whitefly and transgressive segregation for type IV glandular trichome density with values greater than that of TO‐937‐15 plants. However, the tested families did not surpass the total foliar acylsugar content found in TO‐937‐15. BTR‐331 exhibited low colonization in the free‐choice test and it was the least preferred F3 family in the no‐choice test. The higher resistance levels of BTR‐331 were associated with a positive combination of higher type IV trichome density and higher acylsugar levels. Some F3 families displayed reduced fruit set due to the presence of flowers with style exertion of the antheridial‐cone. Fruit weight at harvest stage of the selected families (from 4.9 to 14.5 g) was lower than that of LAM‐148 (139.5 g) but higher than that of TO‐937‐15 plants (1.3 g). Therefore, although difficult to reach due to the simultaneous segregation of many polygenic traits, the combination of high B. tabaci resistance levels with superior horticultural traits is feasible. These results confirm TO‐937‐15 as a source of biotype B resistance. From the breeding standpoint, the genetic similarity between S. lycopersicum and S. pimpinellifolium would allow a more efficient resistance introgression by facilitating recombination and minimizing the potentially undesirable linkage drag associated with this trait.

Selection of processing tomato genotypes with high acyl sugar content that are resistant to the tomato pinworm

Acyl sugars are allelochemicals present at high concentrations in leaves of accessions of the wild tomato Solanum pennellii; they confer resistance to a large number of arthropod pests, including the tomato pinworm, Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae). Accession 'LA716', with high contents of acyl sugars in the leaves, was used as a source of resistance to start a genetic breeding program of processing cultivated tomato, S. lycopersicum. We selected plants of the F₂ generation of an interspecific cross (S. lycopersicum cv. 'Redenção' x S. pennellii 'LA716') for extremes of concentrations (high and low) of acyl sugars in the leaves and evaluated the resistance of selected genotypes to the tomato pinworm, compared with plants of the parental and F₁ generations. The concentrations of acyl sugars present in the genotypes selected for high contents were close to those of S. pennellii 'LA 716', while the genotypes with low concentrations of acyl sugars were close to cultivar 'Redenção'. The F₁ hybrid ('Redenção' x 'LA716') had intermediate concentrations of acyl sugars, but was closer to Redenção, indicating that the inheritance of this type of character is due to a recessive major gene, along with minor genes with additive effects. There was a direct association between high contents of acyl sugars and non-preference for oviposition and suppression of larval development, indicating that the allelochemical acts through mechanisms of non-preference for oviposition and through antibiosis. Genotypes with high contents of acyl sugars were more effective in reducing the damage caused by the tomato pinworm. Genotypes RVTA-2010pl#94 and RVTA-2010pl#31, selected for high contents of acyl sugars, showed a good level of resistance to T. absoluta, similar to the wild genotype LA716. These genotypes are promising for use in a breeding program for developing commercial processing tomatoes.

Broad‐Spectrum Arthropod Resistance in Hybrids between High‐ and Low‐Acylsugar Tomato Lines

Three elite tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L., syn. Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) breeding lines (TOM‐687, TOM‐688, TOM‐689) with high foliar acylsugar (AS) contents were obtained, and used along with two low‐AS lines (TOM‐690, TOM‐684) in hybrid combinations, to obtain six hybrids between one low‐AS line × one high‐AS line (= hybrids with intermediate AS levels), one hybrid between two high‐AS lines (= high‐AS hybrid), and one hybrid between two low‐AS lines (= low‐AS hybrid). These genotypes were tested for resistance to three different tomato pests (spider mites [Tetranychus urticae Koch], silverleaf whitefly [Bemisia argentifolii Bellows & Perring], and the South American tomato pinworm [Tuta absoluta (Meyrick)]) along with hybrid TEX‐154 (low‐AS) and/or Solanum pennellii Correll ‘LA‐716’ (high‐AS wild accession). In all three instances, high‐AS genotypes showed higher levels of pest resistance than low‐AS genotypes. Hybrids with intermediate AS levels showed resistances that were just as high as those of high‐AS genotypes for Bemisia argentifolii and Tuta absoluta, and nearly as good as those for Tetranychus urticae. Acylsugars were confirmed as being a major component of the high levels of pest resistances found in S. pennellii—a component that was successfully introgressed into elite tomato breeding lines. Acylsugar‐mediated pest resistance is effective against a broad spectrum of tomato pests. Because high‐AS breeding lines are scarce, the deployment of hybrids between high‐AS line × low‐AS line would be a quick, viable alternative to obtain commercial pest‐resistant hybrids.

Resistance of tomato genotypes to the silverleaf whitefly mediated by acylsugars

Acylsugars in the leaflets of the wild accession LA-716 (Lycopersicon pennellii) gives resistance to Bemisia spp., which causes expressive losses to the tomato crop. The goal of this work was to evaluate the resistance to the silverleaf whitefly (Bemisia tabaci biotype B) of previously selected genotypes, based on the level of acylsugars in the leaflets. F2BC1 plants {F2[Lycopersicon esculentum TOM 584 x (L. esculentum TOM 584 x L. pennellii LA-716)]} were selected for extreme contents of acylsugars: BPX-370B pl#30-275, BPX-370B pl#79-278, BPX-370B pl#30-380, BPX-370B pl#25-271 (high contents), BPX-370B pl#30-02, BPX-370B pl#30-142 (low contents). These genotypes, along with the parents TOM 584 and LA-716, were submitted to a silverleaf whitefly infestation. Oviposition and nymph development were evaluated. The oviposition on the genotypes BPX-370B pl#30-275 and BPX-370B pl#30-380 was significantly lower to that which occurred on the genotype TOM 584 and in the other genotypes of the F2RC1 generation. The four genotypes selected for high acylsugar contents presented the lowest number of nymphs, except to LA-716. Although the number of eggs in the BPX-370B pl#25-271 and BPX-370B pl#79-278 genotypes (high contents) was elevated, the number of nymphs was reduced, similarly to the other high-acylsugar genotypes, probably due to antibioses effect.

Resistance of tomato genotypes with high level of acylsugars to Tetranychus evansi Baker & Pritchard

The Lycopersicon pennellii accession LA716 has been used as a source of arthropod pest resistance in tomato breeding programs due the high contents of acylsugars presents in its leaflets. We investigated the relationship between high foliar acylsugar contents and repellence to spider mite Tetranychus evansi in plants with contrasting acylsugar levels, selected from F2 and BC1F2 (= F2 of the first backcross towards L. esculentum) generations derived from the interespecific cross L. esculentum 'TOM-584' <FONT FACE=Symbol>´</FONT> L. pennellii LA716. Mite resistance was assessed by a repellence test. Plants selected for high levels of acylsugars in leaflets had mite repellence levels similar to that of LA716. The high correlation confirmed the association between high acylsugar levels and mite repellence.

Herança de acilaçúcares em genótipos de tomateiro provenientes de cruzamento interespecífico

O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar a herança da produção de acilaçúcares em genótipos de tomateiro, em uma população segregante (F2) do terceiro retrocruzamento, para Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. 'TOM-584', a partir da espécie L. pennellii 'LA-716'. A determinação do teor de acilaçúcares foi realizada com metodologia para determinação de açúcares redutores. Os dados foram utilizados para verificação da herança monogênica, sob diferentes graus de dominância (GD) presumidos, por meio do teste qui-quadrado. Para verificar a existência de efeitos aditivos e não aditivos de um gene maior e de possíveis poligenes, utilizou-se o método da máxima verossimilhança. Para os diferentes GD testados, na faixa compreendida entre -0,7 e -0,4, a hipótese de herança monogênica não pôde ser descartada, o que indica a ação de alelo recessivo, com dominância incompleta na expressão de alto teor de acilaçúcares. Por meio de modelos genéticos pela função de verossimilhança, a hipótese de herança monogênica foi confirmada. Plantas de tomateiro, com boa resistência a artrópodos-praga, mediada pelo aleloquímico acilaçúcar, podem ser obtidas com eficiência em populações de retrocruzamentos, a partir do cruzamento interespecífico L. esculentum x L. pennellii.

Inheritance of glandular trichomes and two-spotted spider mite resistance in cross Lycopersicon esculentum ‘‘Nandi’’ and L. pennellii ‘‘LA2963’’

Parents and their F1 and F2 progenies were evaluated for density of type IV glandular trichomes and resistance to Tetranychus urticae Koch during three stages of the plant growth. Results indicated significant differences between density of type IV glandular trichomes on F1 and F2 populations at different sampling times. As age of plant increased, density of type IV glandular trichomes and resistance to two-spotted spider mite increased. Density of type IV glandular trichomes on F2 individuals showed a broad range of variability (0–42 trichomes/mm2). The estimated heritability was very high (>85%) for damage score and density of type IV glandular trichomes at different sampling times. Acylsugars content in Lycopersicon pennellii ‘‘LA2963’’ was more than two-folds high than those found in L. esculentum ‘‘Nandi’’, F1 and F2 populations, indicating that recessive gene(s) are responsible for the high acylsugar contents in L. pennellii ‘‘LA2963’’.

Acylsugars in tomato leaflets confer resistance to the South American tomato pinworm, Tuta absoluta Meyr

Acylsugars present in the accession 'LA716' of Lycopersicon pennellii play an important role in the resistance to Tuta absoluta. This paper investigates the possible association between the resistance to T. absoluta and the acylsugar contents in F2 and F2BC1 tomato plants derived from the interspecific crossing between L. esculentum 'TOM-584' and L. pennellii 'LA716'. From the F2 population, four high acylsugars and one low acylsugars plants were selected and tested for Tuta absoluta resistance along with parental lines TOM-584 and LA-716, and with the checks TOM-600 (high 2-tridecanone line with resistance to T. absoluta) and TOM-556 (low acylsugar line). The genotypes were tested under natural field infestation and were evaluated for overall plant damage, leaflet lesion type and percent of attacked leaflet. Four plants from F2BC1 [=(Lycopersicon esculentum 'TOM-584' <FONT FACE=Symbol>´</FONT> F2)] were selected for high acylsugars and two for low acylsugars, and tested in greenhouse cages infested with T. absoluta. These genotypes were evaluated with the parental lines and the checks for oviposition ten days after infestation, and for leaflet lesion type and overall plant damage at four different dates. The F2 genotypes BPX-370Bpl#25, BPX-370Bpl#30 and BPX-370Bpl#79, the F2BC1 genotypes BPX-370B pl#30-380 and BPX-370B pl#30-271 and the wild accession LA716 had good levels of resistance to Tuta absoluta. The resistance level increased with longer exposition time to the acylsugars, both in the field and in the cage tests. Acylsugar contents seemed to be highly and negatively correlated with the traits related to the pinworm resistance.