Tomato Tissues Research Articles

Method for Determining the Respiration Rate of Horticultural Produce Under Hyperbaric Treatment

A method was developed to determine the metabolic respiration rate (RRm) of fresh produce during the transient period at the beginning of a hyperbaric treatment. This method allowed for the correction in the apparent respiration rate (RRap) by considering the dilution effect of flushing the system and the error associated with gas solubilisation as the gas partial pressure varied. The dilution process was simulated by using the general equation for exhaust ventilation, thus allowing for the elimination of the dilution effect during the calculation of the net respiration rate (RRN). The error associated with the CO2 solubilisation in the flesh of the produce was solved by measuring the CO2 solubility in the tissues of tomato at various CO2 partial pressures and using this value to generate a mass balance of CO2 within the system. The RRm was estimated by incorporating the initial respiration rate (RRi) of untreated fruits with the respiration rate at equilibrium (RRe). The kinetic of the RRm was proposed to follow a negative exponential equation. The constant value (k) of the RRm model was found to decrease exponentially with the partial pressure of CO2 at equilibrium which affected the amount of gas solubilised and the time to reach equilibrium. The developed method should be validated for the RRm of other produce during the transient period at the beginning of a hyperbaric treatment.

Traumatin- and Dinortraumatin-containing Galactolipids in Arabidopsis: THEIR FORMATION IN TISSUE-DISRUPTED LEAVES AS COUNTERPARTS OF GREEN LEAF VOLATILES

Green leaf volatiles (GLVs) consisting of six-carbon aldehydes, alcohols, and their esters, are biosynthesized through the action of fatty acid hydroperoxide lyase (HPL), which uses fatty acid hydroperoxides as substrates. GLVs form immediately after disruption of plant leaf tissues by herbivore attacks and mechanical wounding and play a role in defense against attackers that attempt to invade through the wounds. The fates and the physiological significance of the counterparts of the HPL reaction, the 12/10-carbon oxoacids that are formed from 18/16-carbon fatty acid 13-/11-hydroperoxides, respectively, are largely unknown. In this study, we detected monogalactosyl diacylglycerols (MGDGs) containing the 12/10-carbon HPL products in disrupted leaf tissues of Arabidopsis, cabbage, tobacco, tomato, and common bean. They were identified as an MGDG containing 12-oxo-9-hydroxy-(E)-10-dodecenoic acid and 10-oxo-7-hydroxy-(E)-8-decenoic acid and an MGDG containing two 12-oxo-9-hydroxy-(E)-10-dodecenoic acids as their acyl groups. Analyses of Arabidopsis mutants lacking HPL indicated that these MGDGs were formed enzymatically through an active HPL reaction. Thus, our results suggested that in disrupted leaf tissues, MGDG-hydroperoxides were cleaved by HPL to form volatile six-carbon aldehydes and non-volatile 12/10-carbon aldehyde-containing galactolipids. Based on these results, we propose a novel oxylipin pathway that does not require the lipase reaction to form GLVs.

Levels of selected potential harmful elements (PHEs) in soils and vegetables used in diet of the population living in the surroundings of the Estarreja Chemical Complex (Portugal)

This study was carried out to analyze the distribution and soil–plant transfer of selected potential harmful elements (PHEs: As, Hg and Zn) in soils and in two edible horticultural crops (cabbage, Brassica oleracea L., and tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum Mill). randomly sampled in kitchen gardens/small farms around one of the most important and old Portuguese industrial areas (Estarreja Chemical Complex-ECC). The results show that 46% and 11.5% of the soils present high total As (12–532mg/kg) and Hg (6.6–13.65mg/kg) concentrations that exceed protective health Canadian soil quality guidelines. Soil As and Zn available fractions are also of concern for groundwater and crops contamination as more than 84% of the samples were above the trigger value proposed by the German legislation for both elements (0.4 and 2mg/kg, respectively). In the horticultural crops the cabbage leaves concentrate more the PHEs (max.: 3.5, 0.08 and 746mg/kg dw for As, Hg and Zn, respectively) than the tomato fruit (max.: 0.4, 0.02 and 82mg/kgdw, respectively). The highest concentration of the study PHEs in soils and horticultural crops were found near sewage outlets that are chiefly related to historical industrial activities mostly from arsenopyrite roasting and a chloralkali plant. The values of estimated bioaccumulation and bioconcentration coefficients suggested exclusion mechanisms for transfer of As to edible cabbage and tomato tissues and cabbage Zn tolerance capacity. The concentration of the PHEs in the edible horticultural crops tissues were not directly related with respective soil total concentration or available fractions, specially for As and Hg. Sampling locations with the highest concentrations of As, Hg, Zn in soil and vegetable foodstuffs should be sites to foregoing research and human daily intakes should be investigated in order to evaluate potential health risks.

Engineered Biochar Reclaiming Phosphate from Aqueous Solutions: Mechanisms and Potential Application as a Slow-Release Fertilizer

This work explored the potential application of an engineered biochar prepared from Mg-enriched tomato tissues to reclaim and reuse phosphate (P) from aqueous solution. Findings from batch sorption experiments suggested that, although sorption of P on the biochar was controlled by relatively slow kinetics, the maximum P sorption capacity of the biochar could reach >100 mg·g(-1). Mathematical modeling and postsorption characterization results indicated that the sorption was mainly controlled by two mechanisms: precipitation of P through chemical reaction with Mg particles and surface deposition of P on Mg crystals on biochar surfaces. Most of the P retained in the engineered biochar was bioavailable and could be released equally at multiple successive extractions. In addition, the P-laden biochar significantly stimulated grass seed germination and growth. These results suggested the postsorption biochar can be cycled back directly to soils as an effective slow-release P-fertilizer.

Dielectric properties of tomatoes assisting in the development of microwave pasteurization and sterilization processes

Dielectric properties of tomatoes crucially affect their heating behaviors in an electromagnetic field and are essential for developing microwave pasteurization and sterilization processes for different tomato products. The open-ended coaxial probe technique was used to determine the dielectric properties of tomatoes over a frequency range of 300–3000MHz for temperatures between 22 and 120°C. Three tomato tissues, the pericarp tissue (including the skin), the locular tissue (including the seeds) and the placental tissue were studied separately. The effects of NaCl (0.2g/100g) and CaCl2 (0.055g/100g) on the dielectric properties of tomatoes were also investigated. The dielectric loss factors were significantly different among the three tomato tissues. However, no significant differences were found in their corresponding dielectric constants. The loss factors of the three tomato tissues decreased with increasing frequency and increased with salts added. Increasing temperature increased the loss factors of the three tomato tissues at 915MHz, but initially decreased then increased their corresponding values at 2450MHz. The differences in the loss factors of the three tomato tissues were mainly caused by the difference in ionic conductivity.

Molecular Detection and Identification of a 16SrVI Group Phytoplasma Associated with Tomato Big Bud Disease in Xinjiang, China

AbstractIn 2010, tomato plants with big bud symptoms were observed in Xinjiang, China. PCR products of approximately 1.2 and 2.8 kb were amplified from infected tomato tissues but not from asymptomatic plants. A comparison of 16S rDNA sequences showed that the casual tomato big bud (TBB) phytoplasma was closely (99%) related to the ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma trifolii’ (16SrVI group). The TBB phytoplasma clustered into one branch with the Loofah witches'‐broom phytoplasma according to the 23S rDNA analysis but with no other member of the 16SrVI group. The cause of TBB symptoms was identified as ‘Ca. Phytoplasma trifolii' (16SrVI group) by PCR, virtual RFLP and sequencing analyses. This is the first report of a phytoplasma related to ‘Ca. Phytoplasma trifolii' causing TBB disease in China.

Resveratrol Biosynthesis Up-Regulates the Ascorbate/Glutathione Pathway in Transgenic Tomato Fruit

There is a growing interest in producing food plants with increased amounts of antioxidants because of their potential health benefits. Polyphenolic secondary metabolites, such as flavonoids and stilbenes, have been investigated for their significant antioxidant activity, important both for plant physiology and human nutrition. With the aim to verify whether the synthesis of resveratrol in tomato fruit affected the redox status of transformed tomato tissues, in the present work we took advantage of the availability of two different transgenic tomato lines in which a grape stilbene synthase gene was expressed under a constitutive or a tissue specific promoter, respectively. The induction of resveratrol synthesis in tomato affected the redox status of transformed tomato fruit. In particular, ascorbate and glutathione pool increased, significantly and proportionally to the amount of the resveratrol synthesised in transformed tissues. Noteworthy, the increase in ascorbate and glutathione pool paralleled with a significant increase in the activities of the main enzymes involved in redox homeostasis, i.e. catalase, ascorbate peroxidase as well the enzymes responsive for ascorbate recycling. Furthermore, lipoxygenase activity and levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids hydroperoxides, were reduced in fruit tissues from transgenic tomato lines. The synthesis of resveratrol, together with the global redox status had an impact on the total antioxidant activity of transgenic fruits. Again the total antioxidant capability increased proportionally to the amount of synthesised resveratrol with the most remarkable increase recorded from the lipophilic-resveratrol containing-fraction of transgenic fruits. Overall, our results pointed a higher nutritional value of resveratrol synthesizing tomato fruits.

RNAi silencing of three homologues of S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase gene in tapetal tissue of tomato results in male sterility

Polyamines play very important role in various cellular metabolic functions, including floral induction, floral differentiation and fertility regulation. In the present study, S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (SAMDC), a key gene involved in polyamine biosynthesis, has been targeted in tapetal tissue of tomato using RNAi to examine its effect on tapetum development and pollen viability. The target SAMDC gene fragments of three homologues were cloned in a hairpin RNA construct under the control of tapetal-specific A9 promoter, which was used to generate several RNAi tomato plants. These RNAi lines expressed the intended small interfering RNAs in the anther and showed the aborted and sterile pollen exhibiting shrunken and distorted morphology. These RNAi tomato plants having sterile pollen, failed to set fruits but female fertility of the plants remained unaffected as cross pollination resulted in fruit setting. Expression profiling of SAMDC genes showed considerable decrease in transcripts of SAMDC1 (5-8 fold) and SAMDC2 and SAMDC3 (2-3 fold) in the anthers of RNAi plants. The other polyamine biosynthesis genes, ADC and SPDSYN exhibited ~1.5 fold decrease in their transcript levels. Presence of siRNA molecules specific to SAMDC homologues in anther and tapetal-specific activity of A9 promoter as shown with GUS reporter system of RNAi plants suggested down-regulation of the target genes in tapetum by RNAi. These observations indicate the importance of SAMDC, in turn polyamines in pollen development, and thus tapetum-specific down-regulation of SAMDC genes using RNAi can be used for developing male sterile plants.

Engineered carbon (biochar) prepared by direct pyrolysis of Mg-accumulated tomato tissues: Characterization and phosphate removal potential

An innovative method was developed to produce engineered biochar from magnesium (Mg) enriched tomato tissues through slow pyrolysis in a N2 environment. Tomato plants treated with 25mM Mg accumulated much higher level of Mg in tissue, indicating Mg can be substantially enriched in tomato plants, and pyrolysis process further concentrated Mg in the engineered biochar (8.8% Mg). The resulting Mg-biochar composites (MgEC) showed better sorption ability to phosphate (P) in aqueous solutions compared to the other four tomato leaves biochars. Statistical analysis showed a strong and significant correlation between P removal rate and biochar Mg content (R(2)=0.78, and p<0.001), indicating the enriched Mg in the engineered biochar is the main factor controlling its P removal ability. SEM-EDX, XRD and XPS analyses showed that nanoscale Mg(OH)2 and MgO particles were presented on the surface of MgEC, which serve as the main adsorption sites for aqueous P.

First Report of Late Blight Caused by Phytophthora infestans Clonal Lineage US-22 on Tomato and Potato in Wisconsin.

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and potato (S. tuberosum) crops are grown on over 67,000 acres (27,114 hectares) in the state of Wisconsin each year. Late blight, caused by Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) deBary, is a potentially devastating oomycete pathogen that sporadically affects tomato and potato crops in the state. Prevention of this disease through prophylactic application of oomycete-specific fungicides can cost producers millions of dollars per year in additional chemical, fuel, and labor expenses. In 2009, late blight was observed on tomato and potato in over 25 Wisconsin counties. The epidemic initiated on tomato in southern WI in early August and progressed northward in the state with additional reports on tomato primarily from home gardens and small farms. Potato late blight was also identified but with limited incidence in central WI, likely due to routine fungicide programs in commercial production. Clonal lineages of P. infestans documented in Wisconsin in previous epidemics included US-1 in the 1970s and US-8 in the mid-1990s. Populations of P. infestans in the U.S. have recently undergone significant genetic changes, resulting in isolates with unique clonal lineages and epidemiological characteristics (1). Symptoms of late blight observed on tomato and potato included water-soaked to dark brown circular lesions with pale green haloes accompanied by signs of pathogen sporulation typically on leaf undersides during periods of high humidity. Isolates of P. infestans were generated from field infected tomato and potato foliar tissues. Axenic, single zoospore derived cultures were generated and maintained on Rye A agar for further characterization. Mycelium was coenocytic with hyphal diameter of 5 to 8 μm (n = 50). Sporangia were limoniform or ovoid, semi- to fully papillate, caducous, had short pedicels, and were 29.6 (h) × 16.8 μm (w) (n = 50). The average length/width ratio was 1.76. Allozyme banding patterns at the glucose-6-phosphate isomerase (Gpi) locus indicated a 100/122 profile, consistent with the US-22 clonal lineage (3). Mating type assays confirmed the isolates to be A2 and in vitro mefenoxam sensitivity was observed (4). Restriction fragment length polymorphic analysis of a representative isolate from Wisconsin with the multilocus RG57 sequence and EcoRI produced the DNA pattern indicative of US-22 (2). The P. infestans clonal lineage US-22 was predominant in U.S. epidemics on tomato in 2009. To our knowledge, this is the first report of P. infestans clonal lineage US-22 causing late blight on tomato and potato in Wisconsin, USA.

Screening of Different Tomato Varieties in Saline Areas of Bangladesh

A field study was conducted to screen out a number of Bangladeshi Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) varieties for salinity tolerance. Three levels of salinity were 2.0-4.0 dS m-1, 4.1-8.0 dS m-1 and 8.1-12.0 dS m-1. Significant varietal and or salinity treatment effects were registered on plant height, leaf area, plant growth, yield, dry matter plant-1, Na+ and Claccumulation in tomato tissues. Variety BARI Tomato 14, BARI Hybrid Tomato 5 and BARI Tomato 2 consistently showed superior biological activity at moderate salinity (4.1-8.0 dS m-1), based on dry matter biomass production thus displaying relatively greater adaptation to salinity. Under saline condition, all plant parameters of tomato varieties were reduced compared to the control except number of fruits of BARI Tomato 14, BARI Hybrid Tomato 5 and BARI Tomato 2. Thus, BARI Tomato 14, BARI Hybrid Tomato 5 and BARI Tomato 2 can be regarded as a breeding material for development of new tomato varieties for tolerance to salinity in saline areas of Bangladesh. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ijarit.v2i1.13989 Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. &amp; Tech. 2 (1): 13-18, June, 2012

Diffusivity of 1-methylcyclopropene in spinach and bok choi leaf tissue, disks of tomato and avocado fruit tissue, and whole tomato fruit

Gaseous 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) has been widely employed for delaying ripening and senescence of harvested fruit and vegetables; however, details on ingress of gaseous1-MCP in plant tissues, which might contribute to differences in responsiveness of different horticultural commodities to 1-MCP, have not been reported. In this study, we used spinach and bok choi leaves, disks from tomato epidermis, stem-scar and avocado-exocarp tissues, and whole tomato fruit to examine ingress of gaseous 1-MCP. Using a dual-flask system, equilibration of 20μLL−1 (831μmolm−3) 1-MCP through leaf tissue was reached within 1–2h, and paralleled 1-MCP transfer through glass-fiber filter paper. For disks derived from fruit tissues, changes in 1-MCP concentrations in the dual-flask system showed anomalous patterns, declining as much as 70% in source flasks with negligible accumulation in sink flasks. The pattern of 1-MCP distribution was markedly different from that of ethylene, which approached equal distribution with tomato stem-scar and avocado exocarp but not tomato epidermis tissues. 1-MCP ingress was further addressed by exposing whole tomato fruit to 20μLL−1 1-MCP followed by sampling of internal fruit atmosphere. Tomato fruit accumulated internal gaseous 1-MCP rapidly, reaching approximately 8–9μLL−1 within 3–6h at 20°C. Internal 1-MCP concentration ([1-MCP]) declined around 74 and 94% at 1 and 3h after exposure, respectively. Ingress was similar at all ripening stages and reduced by 45% in fruit coated with commercial wax. Blocking 1-MCP ingress through stem- and blossom-scar tissues reduced accumulation by around 60%, indicating that ingress also occurs through epidermal tissue. Fruit preloaded with 1-MCP and immersed in water for 2h retained about 45% of post-exposure gaseous [1-MCP], indicating that 1-MCP is not rapidly sorbed or metabolized by whole tomato fruit. Rapid ingress of gaseous 1-MCP was also observed in tomato fruit exposed to aqueous 1-MCP. Both accumulation and post-exposure decline in internal gaseous [1-MCP] are likely to vary among different fruit and vegetables in accordance with inherent sorption-capacity, surface properties (e.g., waxes, stoma), volume and continuity of gas-filled intercellular spaces, and tissue hydration.

Breaking-off tissue specific activity of the oil palm metallothionein-like gene promoter in T1 seedlings of tomato exposed to metal ions

Metallothioneins (MTs) are cysteine-rich metal-binding proteins that are involved in cell growth regulation, transportation of metal ions and detoxification of heavy metals. A mesocarp-specific metallothionein-like gene (MT3-A) promoter was isolated from the oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq). A vector construct containing the MT3-A promoter fused to the β-glucuronidase (GUS) gene in the pCAMBIA 1304 vector was produced and used in Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of tomato. Histochemical GUS assay of different tissues of transgenic tomato showed that the MT3-A promoter only drove GUS expression in the reproductive tissues and organs, including the anther, fruit and seed coat. Competitive RT-PCR and GUS fluorometric assay showed changes in the level of GUS mRNA and enzyme activity in the transgenic tomato (T0). No GUS mRNA was found in roots and leaves of transgenic tomato. In contrast, the leaves of transgenic tomato seedlings (T1) produced the highest GUS activity when treated with 150μM Cu2+ compared to the control (without Cu2+). However, Zn2+ and Fe2+ treatments did not show GUS expression in the leaves of the transgenic tomato seedlings. Interestingly, the results showed a breaking-off tissue-specific activity of the oil palm MT3-A promoter in T1 seedlings of tomato when subjected to Cu2+ ions.

Tissue specificity and differential expression of transcription factors in tomato provide hints of unique regulatory networks during fruit ripening

Tissue specificity or dramatically different expression levels of transcription factors in different tissue types allows differential regulation of tissue development as well as alternate modes of metabolic regulation. Recently we reported (Rohrmann et al., 2011) the development of a quantitative real-time PCR platform (qRT-PCR) that allows accurate quantification of the expression level of approximately 1000 tomato transcription factors. Application of this platform to samples collected during a ripening time course of wild type tomato and the high pigment mutant hp1 allowed us to identify transcription factors of importance both to ripening per se and to the metabolic shifts that occur during this critical biological process. Here we extend the quantitative real-time PCR analyses to include samples from flower, leaf, stem and root of wild type tomato. Co-expression network analysis to identify both conserved and unique regulatory networks both between individual tissues of tomato and also in cross-species comparisons of specific tissues, suggested some key TF genes which are involved in photosynthesis and fruit development.

Simple, Rapid, and Simultaneous Assay of Multiple Carboxyl Containing Phytohormones in Wounded Tomatoes by UPLC-MS/MS Using Single SPE Purification and Isotope Dilution

An efficient simplified isotope dilution method was developed to determine four carboxyl containing phytohormones simultaneously in 200 mg of fresh tomato tissues using ultra high performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) with negative electrospray ionization. The four phytohormones are indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), abscisic acid (ABA), jasmonic acid (JA), and salicylic acid (SA). Only one purification step of Oasis MAX solid phase extraction (SPE) was employed to enrich target phytohormones after crude extraction. In addition, two endogenous isomers of JA, (-)-JA and (+)-7-iso-JA, were separated directly. The validated method has been applied to monitor changes of JA, SA, IAA, and ABA in both local and systemic leaves of wild-type and transgenic 35S::prosystemin (35S::PS) tomato lines. Meanwhile, the JA burst amplified by the overexpressed prosystemin in 35S::PS was verified. Furthermore, the spatial and temporal changes of JA, SA, ABA, and IAA were analyzed.

Thermal and High-Pressure Stability of Pectinmethylesterase, Polygalacturonase, β-Galactosidase and α-Arabinofuranosidase in a Tomato Matrix: Towards the Creation of Specific Endogenous Enzyme Populations Through Processing

The thermal and pressure stability of tomato pectinmethylesterase (PME), polygalacturonase (PG), β-galactosidase (β-Gal), and α-arabinofuranosidase (α-Af) were investigated in situ. Enzyme inactivation by thermal and high-pressure processing (respectively 5 min at 25–95 °C at 0.1 MPa and 10 min at 0.1–800 MPa at 20 °C) was monitored by measuring the residual activity in crude enzyme extracts of treated tomato puree samples. PME was completely inactivated after a 5-min treatment at 75 °C. Only 30 % of the pressure stable PME was inactivated after a treatment at 800 MPa (20 °C, 10 min). A 5-min treatment at 95 °C and a treatment at 550 MPa (20 °C, 10 min) caused complete PG inactivation. β-Gal and α-Af activities were already reduced significantly by thermal treatments at 42.5–52.5 °C and 45–60 °C, respectively. These enzymes were, however, rather pressure resistant: treatments at respectively 700 and 600 MPa were necessary to reduce the activity below 10 % of the initial value. Assuming that first-order, fractional conversion or biphasic inactivation models could be applied to the respective enzyme inactivation data, inactivation rate constants and their temperature or pressure dependence for the different enzymes were determined. Based on differences in process stability of the enzymes, possibilities for the creation of specific “enzyme populations” in tomato puree by selective enzyme inactivation were identified. For industrially relevant process conditions, the enzyme inactivation data obtained for tomato puree were shown to be transferable to intact tomato tissue.

Emergence of 13_A2 Blue Lineage of Phytophthora infestans was Responsible for Severe Outbreaks of Late Blight on Tomato in South‐West India

AbstractPrior to 2007, late blight was not reported as a serious threat to tomato cultivation in India although the disease has been known on potato since 1953. During the July–December cropping season of 2009 and 2010, severe late blight epidemics were observed in Karnataka state of India, causing crop losses up to 100%. Nineteen Phytophthora isolates, recovered from late blight affected tomato tissues from different localities in Karnataka state between 2009 and 2010, were identified as Phytophthora infestans based on morphology, a similarity search of ITS sequences at GenBank and species‐specific PCR using PINF/ITS5 primer pair. The isolates were further assessed for metalaxyl sensitivity, mating type, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplotype, DNA fingerprinting patterns based on simple sequence repeats (SSR) and RFLPs using the RG57 probe and aggressiveness on tomato. All isolates were metalaxyl resistant, A2 mating type, mtDNA haplotype Ia and had identical SSR and RG57 fingerprints and highly aggressive on tomato. The phenotypic and genotypic characters of isolates examined in this study were found to be similar to that of 13_A2 genotype of P. infestans population reported in Europe. Thus, appearance of new population similar to 13_A2 genotype was responsible for severe late blight epidemics on tomato in South‐West India.

Differential Control of Ethylene Responses byGREEN-RIPEandGREEN-RIPE LIKE1Provides Evidence for Distinct Ethylene Signaling Modules in Tomato

The factors that mediate specific responses to the plant hormone ethylene are not fully defined. In particular, it is not known how signaling at the receptor complex can control distinct subsets of ethylene responses. Mutations at the Green-ripe (Gr) and reversion to ethylene sensitivity1 (rte1) loci, which encode homologous proteins of unknown function, influence ethylene responses in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), respectively. In Arabidopsis, AtRTE1 is required for function of the ETR1 ethylene receptor and acts predominantly through this receptor via direct protein-protein interaction. While most eudicot families including the Brassicaceae possess a single gene that is closely related to AtRTE1, we report that members of the Solanaceae family contain two phylogenetically distinct genes defined by GR and GREEN-RIPE LIKE1 (GRL1), creating the possibility of subfunctionalization. We also show that SlGR and SlGRL1 are differentially expressed in tomato tissues and encode proteins predominantly localized to the Golgi. A combination of overexpression in tomato and complementation of the rte1-3 mutant allele indicates that SlGR and SlGRL1 influence distinct but overlapping ethylene responses. Overexpression of SlGRL1 in the Gr mutant background provides evidence for the existence of different ethylene signaling modules in tomato that are influenced by GR, GRL1, or both. In addition, overexpression of AtRTE1 in tomato leads to reduced ethylene responsiveness in a subset of tissues but does not mimic the Gr mutant phenotype. Together, these data reveal species-specific heterogeneity in the control of ethylene responses mediated by members of the GR/RTE1 family.

Solvents Design on the Basis of Molecular-Microscopic Properties of Binary Mixtures for Lycopene Extraction

Lycopene is a natural compound with high-value of nutritional and medical properties. Nowadays, the extrac- tion of Lycopene with mixtures of solvents to obtain more efficiency and less toxicity is interested. In this study, the Lyco- pene extraction in three binary mixtures of solvents (Ethyl-acetate/Ethanol, Hexane/Isopropanol and Benzene/Isopropanol) was measured and then the effects of solvatochromic parameters (π*, dipolarity/polarizability; β, hydrogen-bond acceptor basicity; α, hydrogen-bond donor acidity) and solvophobicity (Sp) parameters on the extraction from tomato tissues have been considered. Among the all parameters, Sp shows the biggest contribution in the extraction that is well justified, knowing that Lycopenes are lypophobic. Our calculation results show that in addition to Sp, another parameter is needed to get the reasonable correlation between the parameters and the extraction. For Ethanol/Ethyle-acetate mixture, β, for Isopropa- nol/Benzene mixture, π* and for Isopropanol/Hexane mixture, α, participated in the correlation equation in addition to Sp.

Reaction of some tomato cultivars to tomato leaf curl virus and evaluation of the endophytic colonisation with Beauveria bassiana on the disease incidence and its vector, Bemisia tabaci

Tomato line LA1478 and Pusa Ruby were resistant to tomato leaf curl virus (TLCV) disease. They registered higher plant height, number of branches, total phenol content and yield per plant than the other cultivars. Variety Peto 86 was tolerant to the disease while the other popular tomato cultivars, i.e. Ace, Early Pack, Money Maker, Prichard and Strain B were highly susceptible to the disease. Plant height and number of branches per plant revealed significantly positive association with fruit yield per plant. The disease index of TLCV exhibited significant negative correlations with plant height, total phenol content and fruit yield per plant – 0–4 and 5–25 adult whiteflies were observed on resistant susceptible cultivars. In the case of epiphytically colonisation by Beauveria bassiana conidia, not all developing hyphae on the leaf surface penetrated the whitefly cuticle. Many of the germ tubes elongated to a short distance before terminating its growth. On the other hand, the rapid staining of tomato tissues injected with B. bassiana conidial suspension indicates that the entomopathogenic fungus was established inside tomato tissues until the end time of the trial. The direct injection with the spore suspension yielded high post-colonisation, where the fungus was recovered from sites distant from the point of inoculation. This indicates that the fungus has the potential to move throughout the plant tissues. Laboratory bioassay of tomato whitefly feeding on tomato tissues containing B. bassiana conidial spores indicates that plant endophytic colonisation with entomopathogenic fungi may reduce insect survival on these plants. LT50 values of the test diet were between three and four days. The mortality of Bemisia tabaci was high in the case of endophytically colonisation compared to epiphytically one (90.0% compared to 10.0% during three days) for whiteflies fed tomato tissues containing 1.5 × 107 B. bassiana spores/ml. Application of B. bassiana as an artificial endophyte inside tomato plants can be an important component in the integrated control of tomato whiteflies. The endophytic colonising can achieve biocontrol effect based on induced disease resistance in plant tissues. According the available references, this is the first report on B. tabaci controlling by plant endophytic treatment.