title: Characterization of the intense pigment tomato genotype emphasizing targeted fruit metabolites and chloroplast biogenesis.
abstract: The tomato INTENSE PIGMENT (IP) genotype is characterized by intense visual pigmentation of unripe and ripe fruits, not thoroughly analyzed thus far. This study was therefore designed to analyze key morphologic, metabolomic, and photomorphogenic phenotypes of this genotype in comparison to its near-isogenic normal counterpart and to evaluate its significance relative to other tomato mutants known for increased fruit pigmentation. The IP genotype produced smaller and darker red fruits, and a substantially increased chloroplast biogenesis was found in its green fruit and leaf tissues. Ripe-red fruits of the IP genotype produced 34-38% more soluble solids and up to 62.6% more carotenoids, but no differences were found in the concentration of flavonoid compounds in its peel tissue. The IP genotype was found to display a greater hypocotyl inhibition response to blue and yellow light, but a more prominent and novel response to total darkness. As a whole, the IP genotype exhibited highly desirable traits, making it a valuable genotype for tomato breeders attempting to introduce functional and taste qualities into tomato fruits.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Plant Sciences, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel.
authors.forename: Noga
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lavi
authors.forename: Yaakov
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tadmor
authors.forename: Ayala
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Meir
authors.forename: Avital
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bechar
authors.forename: Michal
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Oren-Shamir
authors.forename: Rinat
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ovadia
authors.forename: Moshe
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reuveni
authors.forename: Sahadia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nahon
authors.forename: Haviva
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shlomo
authors.forename: Lea
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Ilan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Levin
mesh_terms: D002736:Chloroplasts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005838:Genotype; D018551:Solanum lycopersicum / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D055432:Metabolomics; D010858:Pigmentation