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Title: USDA 97L63, 97L66, AND 97L97: TOMATO BREEDING LINES WITH HIGH FRUIT BETA-CAROTENE CONTENT

Author
item Stommel, John

Submitted to: Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/13/2000
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Three new tomato breeding lines with high fruit beta-carotene content have been developed by ARS and have been made available for use in development of new cultivars. They are best suited for use in processing applications which include juice or sauce production. Ripe fruit may also be utilized for diced product or fresh, sliced applications. Their combination of desirable plant fruit characteristics make them a desirable source of the Beta (beta-carotene) gene to allow breeders to develop new, high beta-carotene containing cultivars. These lines are descended from an initial cross between a normal cultivated type tomato and a high beta- carotene containing accession of the wild tomato relative Lycopersicon cheesmanii. These new breeding line releases were developed as value-added material with enriched nutritive value. This research will benefit tomato producers as Beta-carotene can be synthesized to vitamin A and is an essential nutrient for man and may also reduce the risk of developing heart disease and certain cancers.

Technical Abstract: The Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, announces the release of three new tomato breeding lines, 97L63, 97L66, and 97L97. These lines produce fruit with high beta-carotene content, mid-season maturity, and are best suited for use in processing applications. Plants exhibit compact and determinate growth habit with concentrated fruit set. Fruit beta-carotene content averages ca. 56ug/g fresh weight. Soluble solids content of lines 97L63 and 97L66 was 11% and 20% higher than that of their recurrent parent, FM6203. The Lycopersicon cheesmanii accession LA317 was the donor parent for the dominant Beta gene which conditions accumulation of high beta-carotene levels. Lines 97L63 and 97L66 are bulks of selected plants in the F5 generation of the fourth backcross to FM6203. Line 97L97 is an F5 bulk from the second backcross to Ohio 8245.