Tomato Breeding Research Articles

Dissection of major QTLs and candidate genes for seedling stage salt/drought tolerance in tomato

BackgroundAs two of the most impactful abiotic stresses, salt and drought strongly affect tomato growth and development, especially at the seedling stage. However, dissection of the genetic basis underlying salt/drought tolerance at seedling stage in tomato remains limited in scope.ResultsHere, we reported an analysis of major quantitative trait locus (QTL) and potential causal genetic variations in seedling stage salt/drought tolerance in recombinant inbred lines (n = 201) of S. pimpinellifolium and S. lycopersicum parents by whole genome resequencing. A total of 5 QTLs on chromosome 1, 3, 5, 7 and 12 for salt tolerance (ST) and 15 QTLs on chromosome 1, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 12 for drought tolerance (DT) were identified by linkage mapping. The proportion of phenotypic variation explained (PVE%) by these QTLs ranged from 4.91 to 15.86. Two major QTLs qST7 and qDT1-3 were detected in both two years, for which two candidate genes (methionine sulfoxide reductase SlMSRB1 and brassinosteroid insensitive 1-like receptor SlBRL1) and the potential functional variations were further analyzed. Taking advantage of the tomato population resequencing data, the frequency changes of the potential favorable QTL allele for seedling stage ST/DT during tomato breeding were explored.ConclusionsThese results will be beneficial for the exploration of salt/drought tolerance genes at seedling stages, laying a foundation for marker-assisted breeding for seedling stage salt/drought tolerance.

Differential physiological and biochemical responses of two tomato cultivars to salt stress at the seedling stage

Soil salinity is a major abiotic stress that drastically hinders plant growth and development, resulting in lower crop yields and productivity. As one of the most consumed vegetables worldwide, tomato (Solanum lycropersicum L.) plays a key role in the human diet. The current study aimed to explore the differential tolerance level of two tomato varieties (Rio Grande and Agata) to salt stress. To this end, various growth, physiological and biochemical attributes were assessed after two weeks of 100 mM NaCl treatment. Obtained findings indicated that, although the effects of salt stress included noticeable reductions in shoots’ and roots’ dry weights and relative growth rate as well as total leaf area, for the both cultivars, Rio Grande performed better compared to Agata variety. Furthermore, despite the exposure to salt stress, Rio Grande was able to maintain an adequate tissue hydration and a high leaf mass per area (LMA) through the accumulation of proline. However, relative water content, LMA and proline content were noticeably decreased for Agata cultivar. Likewise, total leaf chlorophyll, soluble proteins and total carbohydrates were significantly decreased; whereas, malondialdehyde was significantly accumulated in response to salt stress for the both cultivars. Moreover, such negative effects were remarkably more pronounced for Agata relative to Rio Grande cultivar. Overall, the current study provided evidence that, at the early growth stage, Rio Grande is more tolerant to salt stress than Agata variety. Therefore, Rio Grande variety may constitute a good candidate for inclusion in tomato breeding programs for salt-tolerance and is highly recommended for tomato growers, particularly in salt-affected fields.

Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Profiling Analysis of the CCT Gene Family in Solanum lycopersicum and Solanum melongena.

CCT family genes play crucial roles in photoperiodic flowering and environmental stress response; however, there are limited reports in Solanum species with considerable edible and medicinal value. In this study, we conducted genome-wide characterization and expression profiling analysis of the CCT gene family in two Solanum species: tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) and eggplant (Solanum melongena L.). A total of 27 SlCCT and 29 SmCCT genes were identified in the tomato and eggplant genomes, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the CCT gene family could be divided into six subgroups (COL I, COL II, COL III, PRR, CMF I, and CMF II) in Oryza sativa and Arabidopsis thaliana. The similarity in the distribution of exon-intron structures and conserved motifs within the same subgroup indicated the conservation of SlCCT and SmCCT genes during evolution. Intraspecies collinearity analysis revealed that six pairs of SlCCT genes and seven pairs of SmCCT genes showed collinear relationships, suggesting that segmental duplication played a vital role in the expansion of the SlCCT and SmCCT family genes. Cis-acting element prediction indicated that SlCCT and SmCCT were likely to be involved in multiple responses stimulated by light, phytohormones, and abiotic stress. RT-qPCR analysis revealed that SmCCT15, SlCCT6/SlCCT14, and SlCCT23/SmCCT9 responded significantly to salt, drought, and cold stress, respectively. Our comprehensive analysis of the CCT gene family in tomato and eggplant provides a basis for further studies on its molecular role in regulating flowering and resistance to abiotic stress, and provides valuable candidate gene resources for tomato and eggplant molecular breeding.

Evaluating the Lethal Dose (LD50) and Mutagenic Effects of Sodium Azide on Germination and Quality Traits in Two Varieties of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)

Study’s Excerpt Lethal dose (LD50) of sodium azide for two distinct tomato varieties, Beefsteak and San Marzano was quantified. The optimal mutagen doses that can be leveraged for enhancing quality traits in tomatoes is determined. Sodium azide has potential to improve crop resistance and productivity in tomato breeding programs. Full Abstract Sodium azide is a chemical mutagen that has been used to produce resistance in various susceptible crops to improve their yield and quality traits against harmful pathogens. The lethal dose and mutagenic effects of sodium azide on the germination percentage of two varieties of tomatoes (Beefsteak and San Marzano) were investigated with the aim of optimizing a suitable mutagen concentration with variability that could be exploited in the improvement of quality traits in Tomato plants. This study was carried out in the Green House at the Department of Biotechnology, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State (AE-FUNAI). The two varieties of tomato seeds were collected locally as fresh seeds from the taxonomic department and were treated with sodium azide at different concentrations of 0.0%, 0.2%, 0.4%, and 0.6% w/v. The seed was sown and monitored for 30 days with everyday documentation of germination percentage, survival percentage, and lethal dose. Statistical analysis using significant difference (LSD) at 95% probability level was employed to analyze the effects. The results obtained from this study show that there is a steady decrease in germination and survival percentage with increased concentration of sodium azide in both varieties of tomatoes when compared with the control. The lethal dose (LD50) was determined upon germination and survival of the tomato varieties. The highest LD50 was calculated by linear regression to be 0.950 for the beefsteak variety, which was significantly higher than 0.794 for the san marzano variety at 50% germination was recorded under treatment 0.6% NaN3. These concentrations are therefore considered as the LD50 values. Sodium azide via mutation at low concentrations improves some important quality traits of tomatoes.

Variability, heterosis and interrelationship of contributing traits for yield improvement in parents and hybrids of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L).

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is the most prevalent and consumed vegetable crop worldwide because of its higher nutritional content. This study investigates the genetic diversity, principal components, correlations, clustering and heterosis among yield and quality traits of tomato parents and hybrids. Sixteen yield and quality-related attributes were evaluated using a diverse set of parents and their hybrids, revealing significant variation. The principal component analysis identified five principal components explaining 78.67% of the total variance, with a bi-plot highlighting the distribution of parents and hybrids. Five parents (CBESL159, CBESL169, CBESL162, CBESL164, CBESL168), two hybrids (H4, H5) and two double hybrids (H4xH5 and H5xH7) demonstrated widespread dispersion, indicating substantial genetic diversity driven primarily by yield and yield-related traits. The evaluation of heterosis among the hybrids revealed that six hybrids (H1, H3, H4, H5, H7 and H8) and four double hybrids (H5xH7, H1xH5, H8xH7 and H4xH5) exhibited significantly positive heterosis over the standard check hybrids.Further, the study underscores the potential of parents and hybrids for developing strong hybrid vigour regarding growth, yield, and quality characteristics. The number of fruits per plant, single fruit weight and overall fruit yield exhibited strong positive correlations, signifying their implication as indirect selection criteria in tomato breeding programs. These findings provide valuable insights for further breeding programmes to enhance tomato yield and quality through targeted hybridization and trait selection.

Marker Assisted Selection (MAS) and It's Application in Vegetable Crop Improvement

Vegetable crop breeding has changed dramatically since the early 1980s due to technological breakthroughs, especially high-throughput sequencing and molecular marker technologies, which have made it possible to sequence many plant genomes, create dense genetic maps, and identify important genes and QTLs linked to traits like yield and disease resistance. ..These instruments have expedited genetic research and breeding programs in crops including tomato, pepper, eggplant, and cucumber, establishing marker-assisted selection (MAS) as a crucial component of contemporary breeding. The use of these technologies has improved crop characteristics significantly and is still influencing the development of vegetable crops in the future. .. For instance, in the majority of private and public tomato breeding projects, major-gene disease resistance traits like verticillium wilt and anthracnose are selected for using PCR-based markers such as SCAR and CAPS.Bs5 and Bs6 have broad-spectrum resistance against Xanthomonas spp. against chilli leaf spot thanks to marker-assisted gene pyramiding. Major QTLs associated to SSR marker CAMS451 on chromosome 1 (from Capsicum accession LS2341) and marker ID10-194305124 on chromosome 10 (from C. annuum BVRC1) have been mapped for resistance to Ralstonia bacterial wilt.Constantly searching crop germplasm for new resistance genes or alleles is essential to diversify the gene pool and stop resistance from breaking down. By using marker-assisted selection (MAS), it is possible to combine genes for resistance to different pathogens or several sources of resistance to the same pathogen to create novel cultivars.

Genome Editing Technologies towards Tomato Improvement: Recent Advances and Future Perspectives

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicon L.) is the world's second major vegetable crop and a superior model plant for studies on fruit biology. However, the changing climatic conditions are hugely impacting the yield and quality of tomato. CRISPR/Cas9 technology has been widely used in tomato breeding for enhanced disease resistance, herbicide tolerance, domestication and urban farming of wild tomato, and improved fruit yield and quality. Furthermore, new and advanced editing systems like Cas12a, Cas12b, base editing, and prime editing have been recently applied for high-precision tomato improvement. CRISPR variants, PAM-less genome editing, advanced transformation protocols, and gene delivery systems have played a critical role in fast breeding. This review offers an informative summary of recent progress in various genome editing methods and applications for improving tomatoes. It also focuses on critical issues, regulatory concerns, and prospects of genome editing platforms to improve tomato and allied crops.

Genetic Variation for Tolerance to High Temperatures in Tomato Using Critical Sterility Temperature

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) reproduction is influenced by temperature, prominently impacting yield. The ideal daytime range is between 25°C and 30°C and the nighttime temperature is around 20°C for tomato and deviations of a few degrees from these temperatures can have negative effects. The study assessed the effect of temperature on tomato pollen germination and aimed to ascertain the critical sterility temperature for pollen germination. In an open field, pollen from 10 genotypes (Anagha, Manuprabha, Vellayani Vijay, Akshaya, Nandi, IIHR26372, Pusa Rohini, Arka Saurabh, Arka Rakshak, and Arka Vikas) underwent In-vitro temperature exposure ranging from 32 to 40°C at 2°C intervals. Variations in In-vitro pollen germination percentage were observed across the genotypes, notably revealing a sharp decline after 36°C. This decline indicated a pivotal shift in pollen germination and viability. Genotypes, Anagha and Arka Saurabh, were identified as temperature tolerant and susceptible, respectively. The findings present an opportunity to incorporate temperature-dependent pollen response functions and identified genotypes into tomato breeding programs, offering significant implications for enhancing yield under varying temperature conditions.

Genetic mapping and molecular marker development for white flesh color in tomato.

Fruit color significantly influences the quality of horticultural crops, which affects phytochemical diversity and consumer preferences. Despite its importance, the genetic basis of the white-colored fruit in tomatoes remains poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate that white-fleshed tomato varieties accumulate fewer carotenoids than yellow-fleshed varieties. We developed various segregating populations by hybridizing red, yellow, and white fruit tomato cultivars. Genetic analysis revealed that the white fruit color trait is controlled by a single gene that dominates both red and yellow fruits. Bulk segregant RNA sequencing provided a preliminary map of a 3.17 Mb region on chromosome 3 associated with the white color trait. Based on kompetitive allele-specific PCR (KASP) markers, we narrowed the candidate gene region to 819 kb. Within this region, we identified a 4906-bp sequence absence variation near Phytoene Synthase 1 (SlPSY1) specific to white-colored tomatoes. Genotyping of the progeny and natural populations using a single nucleotide polymorphism adjacent to this absence of variation confirmed its key role in white fruit formation. Collectively, our findings provide insights into white fruit trait formation in tomatoes, enabling tomato breeders to precisely introduce white fruit traits for commercial exploitation.

Improved Tomato Breeding Lines Adapted to Organic Farming Systems Have Enhanced Flavor, Yield, and Disease Resistance

Most of the tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) varieties currently used in organic farming were bred for conventional farming, often characterized by high-input use. These varieties do not perform as well in low-input organic systems, generating the need to develop varieties that are adapted to organic management systems. This project focused on improving flavor, disease resistance, and yield, all identified as key traits by organic tomato farmers in the Upper Midwest, USA. Ten advanced tomato breeding lines and two check varieties were developed and evaluated for 16 traits in organic high tunnel systems in 2020 and 2021. The line CSDE-F6.47 averaged 6.32 kg/plant and obtained high flavor intensity and overall flavor scores (3.78 and 3.69 out of 5, respectively). The line JBDE-F5.31 was another outstanding line, with a yield of 5.18 kg/plant, with good flavor intensity (3.32) and overall flavor (2.92) scores. Broad-sense heritability of marketable weight per plant was high (0.91), and the genetic variance was also high, which shows the opportunity to continue to increase the marketable weight in lines with excellent flavor. A significant positive correlation was found between overall flavor and °Brix (0.56), and titratable acidity (0.70), indicating that both measurements can be good predictors of overall flavor. The most promising lines will be further evaluated on-farm to evaluate their potential as releasable varieties.

Field Screening of tomato breeding lines for improved resistance against Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus (TYLCV)

The tomato represents an extensively cultivated crop within tropical and subtropical regions of the world for their fresh market and processing attribute. However, its production frequently encounters substantial setbacks due to notable losses associated with diseases such as Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus (TyLCV). To address this challenge, the current study aimed to assess the resistance or susceptibility of selected 25 tomato breeding lines for TyLCV under natural field screenings to mimic real-world scenarios in accordance with the disease reaction score of Banerjee and Kalloo (1987). The field screening results showed that, the check Arka Vishes line demonstrated high resistance (HR) to TLCV, with reduced PDS, PDI values and a low coefficient of infection (CI). Several lines, including CBE SL 101, CBE SL 105, CBE SL 108, CBE SL 110, and CBE SL 114, exhibited a resistant (R) reaction, while others, such as CBE SL 102, CBE SL 107, CBE SL 112, CBE SL 120, and Arka Rakshak, displayed moderate resistance (MR). Conversely, lines CBE SL 103, CBE SL 104, CBE SL 106, CBE SL 109, CBE SL 111, CBE SL 115, CBE SL 117, and CBE SL 123 showed moderate susceptibility (MS), and the remaining lines, namely CBE SL 113, CBE SL 116, CBE SL 118, CBE SL 119, CBE SL 121, and CBE SL 122, were deemed susceptible to TLCV. The varying disease responses observed across these lines provide valuable insights into the complex dynamics of host-pathogen interactions in tomato plants, informing strategies for disease management and breeding efforts aimed at enhancing resistance to TLCV.

Rhizosphere Microbiome Co-Occurrence Network Analysis across a Tomato Domestication Gradient.

When plant-available phosphorus (P) is lost from a soil solution, it often accumulates in the soil as a pool of unavailable legacy P. To acquire legacy P, plants employ recovery strategies, such as forming associations with soil microbes. However, the degree to which plants rely on microbial associations for this purpose varies with crop domestication and subsequent breeding. Here, by generating microbial co-occurrence networks, we sought to explore rhizosphere bacterial interactions in low-P conditions and how they change with tomato domestication and breeding. We grew wild tomato, traditional tomato (developed circa 1900), and modern tomato (developed circa 2020) in high-P and low-P soil throughout their vegetative developmental stage. Co-occurrence network analysis revealed that as the tomatoes progressed along the stages of domestication, the rhizosphere microbiome increased in complexity in a P deficit. However, with the addition of P fertilizer, the wild tomato group became more complex, surpassing the complexity of traditional and modern tomato, suggesting a high degree of responsiveness in the rhizosphere microbiome to P fertilizer by wild tomato relatives. By illustrating these changing patterns of network complexity in the tomato rhizosphere microbiome, we can further understand how plant domestication and breeding have shaped plant-microbe interactions.

Characterization of Lithuanian Tomato Varieties and Hybrids Using Phenotypic Traits and Molecular Markers.

The aim of this study was to evaluate phenotypic traits and genetic diversity of the 13 tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) varieties and 6 hybrids developed at the Institute of Horticulture Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry (LRCAF IH). For the molecular characterisation, seven previously published microsatellite markers (SSR) were used. A24 and 26 alleles were detected in tomato varieties and hybrids, respectively. Based on the polymorphism information content (PIC) value, the most informative SSR primers for varieties were TMS52, TGS0007, LEMDDNa and Tom236-237, and the most informative SSR primers for hybrids were SSR248 and TMS52. In UPGMA cluster analysis, tomato varieties are grouped in some cases due to genetic relationships, as the same cluster cultivars 'Viltis' (the parent of cv. 'Laukiai') and 'Aušriai' (the progeny of cv. 'Jurgiai') are present. The grouping of all hybrids in the dendrogram is related to the parental forms, and it shows the usefulness of molecular markers for tomato breeding, as they can be used to trace the origin of hybrids and, eventually, varieties accurately. The knowledge about the genetic background of Lithuanian tomato cultivars will help plan targeted crosses in tomato breeding programs.

Physiological characterization of the tomato cutin mutant cd1 under salinity and nitrogen stress.

We identified tomato leaf cuticle and root suberin monomers that play a role in the response to nitrogen deficiency and salinity stress and discuss their potential agronomic value for breeding. The plant cuticle plays a key role in plant-water relations, and cuticle's agronomic value in plant breeding programs is currently under investigation. In this study, the tomato cutin mutant cd1, with altered fruit cuticle, was physiologically characterized under two nitrogen treatments and three salinity levels. We evaluated leaf wax and cutin load and composition, root suberin, stomatal conductance, photosynthetic rate, partial factor productivity from applied N, flower and fruit number, fruit size and cuticular transpiration, and shoot and root biomass. Both nitrogen and salinity treatments altered leaf cuticle and root suberin composition, regardless of genotype (cd1 or M82). Compared with M82, the cd1 mutant showed lower shoot biomass and reduced partial factor productivity from applied N under all treatments. Under N depletion, cd1 showed altered leaf wax composition, but was comparable to the WT under sufficient N. Under salt treatment, cd1 showed an increase in leaf wax and cutin monomers. Root suberin content of cd1 was lower than M82 under control conditions but comparable under higher salinity levels. The tomato mutant cd1 had a higher fruit cuticular transpiration rate, and lower fruit surface area compared to M82. These results show that the cd1 mutation has complex effects on plant physiology, and growth and development beyond cutin deficiency, and offer new insights on the potential agronomic value of leaf cuticle and root suberin for tomato breeding.

Effect of Introgression of Ty-1 and ty-5 Genes on Productivity, Quality, and Antioxidant Compounds in De la Pera Tomato Breeding Lines

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is a crop that is affected by more than a hundred viral species. De la pera is a local varietal type of tomato that is very popular in southeastern Spain. However, it is highly susceptible to several viruses, such as Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV), which is considered one of the most important diseases of tomato crops and is a limiting factor for production in both outdoor and protected crops, making it difficult to eradicate. This study shows the effect of gene introgression on the performance of traditional lines of De la pera by combining two genes that offer tolerance to TYLCV, Ty-1 and ty-5, on some yield and quality traits and on the antioxidant capacity of tomato fruits. Two pear tomato breeding families, UMH175 and UMH220, were evaluated. Four lines from each of the families with all homozygous combinations of the Ty-1 and ty-5 genes were studied. The results showed that the introgression of the ty-5 allele produced a slight negative effect on yield, mean fruit weight, total soluble solids, and titratable acidity, in contrast to Ty-1, which produced a large negative effect. None of the introgressions showed a negative effect on the antioxidant compounds. ty-5 is a promising gene for use in breeding programs.

The tomato WRKY-B transcription factor modulates lateral branching by targeting BLIND, PIN4, and IAA15.

Lateral branching is a crucial agronomic trait that impacts crop yield. In tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum ), excessive lateral branching is unfavorable and results in substantial labor and management costs. Therefore, optimizing lateral branching is a primary objective in tomato breeding. Although many genes related to lateral branching have been reported in tomato, the molecular mechanism underlying their network remains elusive. In this study, we found that the expression profile of a WRKY gene, WRKY-B (for WRKY-BRANCING), was associated with the auxin-dependent axillary bud development process. Wrky-b mutants generated by the CRISPR/Cas9 editing system presented fewer lateral branches, while WRKY-B overexpression lines presented more lateral branches than did wild-type plants. Furthermore, WRKY-B can directly target the well-known branching gene BLIND (BL) and the auxin efflux carrier gene PIN4 to activate their expression. Both the bl and pin4 mutants exhibited reduced lateral branching, similar to the wrky-b mutant. The IAA contents in the axillary buds of the wrky-b, bl, and pin4 mutant plants were significantly higher than those in the wild-type plants. In addition, WRKY-B can also directly target the AUX/IAA gene IAA15 and repress its expression. In summary, WRKY-B works upstream of BL, PIN4, and IAA15 to regulate the development of lateral branches in tomato.

Determination Of Total Phenolic And Antioxidant Activity Of Wild Cherry Tomatoes – Solanum Peruvianum: Sample From Awang Sekmai, Manipur.

Objective: An investigation was carried out to assess the total phenolic, antioxidant characteristics, antioxidant components, and antioxidant enzyme activity in developed cherry tomato breeding lines at the point of harvest when the tomatoes are completely mature and have turned red in colour.

Assessment of the genetic structure of two different tomato breeding populations by Principal Component Analysis

In Plant Breeding, different populations are generated, which frequently represent different gene arrangement from a common selected gene pool. The technique of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) has been widely applied to evaluate the genetic structure of different populations. The objective of this research was to assess PCA for evaluating the genetic structure of two breeding tomato populations, one representing a final step of a breeding program (RIL population) and the other, an initial step (a six basic generations’ population, composed by two homozygous parent, their heterozygous F1 and the segregating F2 and two backcrosses). Both populations were evaluated for phenotypic quantitative traits and population structure was assessed in terms of variances and covariances. PCA was adequate for evaluating differences in genetic structure for evaluated fruit quality traits in both populations.

A catalogue of recombination coldspots in interspecific tomato hybrids.

Increasing natural resistance and resilience in plants is key for ensuring food security within a changing climate. Breeders improve these traits by crossing cultivars with their wild relatives and introgressing specific alleles through meiotic recombination. However, some genomic regions are devoid of recombination especially in crosses between divergent genomes, limiting the combinations of desirable alleles. Here, we used pooled-pollen sequencing to build a map of recombinant and non-recombinant regions between tomato and five wild relatives commonly used for introgressive tomato breeding. We detected hybrid-specific recombination coldspots that underscore the role of structural variations in modifying recombination patterns and maintaining genetic linkage in interspecific crosses. Crossover regions and coldspots show strong association with specific TE superfamilies exhibiting differentially accessible chromatin between somatic and meiotic cells. About two-thirds of the genome are conserved coldspots, located mostly in the pericentromeres and enriched with retrotransposons. The coldspots also harbor genes associated with agronomic traits and stress resistance, revealing undesired consequences of linkage drag and possible barriers to breeding. We presented examples of linkage drag that can potentially be resolved by pairing tomato with other wild species. Overall, this catalogue will help breeders better understand crossover localization and make informed decisions on generating new tomato varieties.

SlWRKY37 targets SlLEA2 and SlABI5-like7 to regulate seed germination vigor in tomato

Seed germination is a critical phase for the life cycle and propagation of higher plants. This study explores the role of SlWRKY37, a WRKY transcription factor in tomato, in modulating seed germination. We discovered that SlWRKY37 expression is markedly downregulated during tomato seed germination. Through CRISPR/Cas9-mediated editing, we demonstrate that SlWRKY37 knockout enhances germination, while its overexpression results in a delay compared to the wild type. Transcriptome analysis revealed 679 up-regulated and 627 down-regulated genes in Slwrky37-CRISPR deletion mutants relative to the wild type. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis indicated these differentially expressed genes are linked to seed dormancy, abscisic acid homeostasis, and protein phosphorylation pathways. Bioinformatics and biochemical assays identified SlABI5-like7 and SlLEA2 as key transcriptional targets of SlWRKY37, integral to tomato seed dormancy regulation. Additionally, SlWRKY37 was found to be post-translationally phosphorylated at Ser65, a modification crucial for its transcriptional activation. Our findings elucidate the regulatory role of SlWRKY37 in seed dormancy, suggesting its potential as a target for gene editing to reduce seed dormancy in tomato breeding programs.