INHERITANCE OF BETA-CAROTENE CONTENT IN THE WILD TOMATO SPECIES LYCOPERSICON CHEESMANII

Beta carotene and lycopene, the two principal colored carotenoids present in tomato fruit, were measured in mature fruit of parental, F1, F2, and backcross populations derived from an initial cross of an orange-fruited accession of the wild tomato species Lycopersicon cheesmann Riley with the cultivated tomato L esculentum Mill. Segregation patterns for fruit pigmentation and percentage beta carotene in F1, F2, and backcross populations fit expected models for a single dominant gene conditioning a high percentage of beta carotene and resultant orange fruit pigmentation The inheritance of beta carotene in L. cheesmanii paralleled that of the B gene described in L. hirsutum. Variation in colored carotenoid content indicated a parental influence on total lycopene and beta carotene content and suggested independent genetic control of these carotenoid levels. © 1994 The American Genetic Association.