Register      Login
Functional Plant Biology Functional Plant Biology Society
Plant function and evolutionary biology
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Use of introgression lines to determine the ecophysiological basis for changes in water use efficiency and yield in California processing tomatoes

Felipe H. Barrios-Masias A D , Roger T. Chetelat B , Nancy E. Grulke C and Louise E. Jackson A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, University of California Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA.

B Department of Plant Sciences, University of California Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA.

C Pacific Northwest Research Station, United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service, 3160 NE Third Street, Prineville, OR 97754, USA.

D Corresponding author. Email: fbarrios@ucdavis.edu

Functional Plant Biology 41(2) 119-132 https://doi.org/10.1071/FP13097
Submitted: 16 April 2013  Accepted: 27 July 2013   Published: 29 October 2013

Abstract

Field and greenhouse studies examined the effects of growth habit and chloroplast presence in leaf veins for their role in increasing agronomic water use efficiency and yields of California modern processing tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) cultivars. Five introgression lines (ILs), made with Solanum pennellii Cor. in the genetic background of cultivar M82, differ in genes that map to a region on Chromosome 5, including the SP5G gene (determinate vs. semideterminate (Det vs. SemiDet)) and the obv gene (presence (obscure) vs. absence (clear) of leaf vein chloroplasts (Obs vs. Clr)). The five ILs and M82 represented three of the four gene combinations (Det–Clr was unavailable). Det–Obs ILs had less leaf, stem and total aboveground biomass with earlier fruit set and ripening than SemiDet–Clr ILs. By harvest, total fruit biomass was not different among ILs. Photosynthetic rates and stomatal conductance were 4–7% and 13–26% higher, respectively, in Det–Obs ILs than SemiDet–Clr ILs. SemiDet–Obs ILs were intermediate for growth and gas exchange variables. The Det–Obs ILs had lower leaf N concentration and similar chlorophyll content per leaf area (but slightly higher per leaf mass) than SemiDet–Clr ILs. The Obs trait was associated with gains in leaf gas exchange-related traits. This study suggests that a more compact growth habit, less leaf biomass and higher C assimilation capacity per leaf area were relevant traits for the increased yields in cultivars with determinate growth. Developing new introgression libraries would contribute to understanding the multiple trait effects of desirable phenotypes.

Additional keywords: chloroplasts, determinate growth, leaf veins, Solanum lycopersicum, Solanum pennellii.


References

Bolaños JA, Hsiao TC (1991) Photosynthetic and respiratory characterization of field-grown tomato. Photosynthesis Research 28, 21–32.
Photosynthetic and respiratory characterization of field-grown tomato.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

California Department of Water Resources (2012) ‘California irrigation management information system.’ (Department of Water Resources, Office of Water Use Efficiency: Sacramento). Available at: http://www.cimis.water.ca.gov [Verified 5 September 2013]

Campbell DE, Lyman M, Corse J, Hautala E (1986) On the relationships of net CO2 assimilation and leaf expansion to vegetative growth in Lycospersicum esculentum, var Jubilee. Plant Physiology 80, 711–715.
On the relationships of net CO2 assimilation and leaf expansion to vegetative growth in Lycospersicum esculentum, var Jubilee.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaL28Xhs1Gltrk%3D&md5=96dcc2ae153195fe1d9033733201e75eCAS | 16664690PubMed |

Carmel-Goren L, Liu YS, Lifschitz E, Zamir D (2003) The self-pruning gene family in tomato. Plant Molecular Biology 52, 1215–1222.
The self-pruning gene family in tomato.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXptVCqtLs%3D&md5=143cb5a3270b9ab9eb07ffce39f05d99CAS | 14682620PubMed |

Comstock JP, McCouch SR, Martin BC, Tauer CG, Vision TJ, Xu YB, Pausch RC (2005) The effects of resource availability and environmental conditions on genetic rankings for carbon isotope discrimination during growth in tomato and rice. Functional Plant Biology 32, 1089–1105.
The effects of resource availability and environmental conditions on genetic rankings for carbon isotope discrimination during growth in tomato and rice.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2MXht1GqsL7K&md5=67ae567157b967c06260def3c842104bCAS |

Condon AG, Richards RA, Rebetzke GJ, Farquhar GD (2004) Breeding for high water-use efficiency. Journal of Experimental Botany 55, 2447–2460.
Breeding for high water-use efficiency.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXovVOisrk%3D&md5=972067fd2ba0ebb8d22042dcf0028a60CAS | 15475373PubMed |

Emerson R (1929) The relation between maximum rate of photosynthesis and concentration of chlorophyll. The Journal of General Physiology 12, 609–622.
The relation between maximum rate of photosynthesis and concentration of chlorophyll.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaB1MXjtFClsA%3D%3D&md5=5a8eaeb85b865db15c97a27dbf39c103CAS | 19872487PubMed |

Eshed Y, Zamir D (1994) A genomic library of Lycopersicon pennellii in Lycopersicon esculentum – a tool for fine mapping of genes. Euphytica 79, 175–179.
A genomic library of Lycopersicon pennellii in Lycopersicon esculentum – a tool for fine mapping of genes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK2MXktlagsbk%3D&md5=c0d04e52150e39feaa1a0e286db064b2CAS |

Eshed Y, Zamir D (1995) An introgression line population of Lycopersicon pennellii in the cultivated tomato enables the identification and fine mapping of yield-associated QTL. Genetics 141, 1147–1162.

Evans LT, Fischer RA (1999) Yield potential: its definition, measurement, and significance. Crop Science 39, 1544–1551.
Yield potential: its definition, measurement, and significance.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Evans JR, Poorter H (2001) Photosynthetic acclimation of plants to growth irradiance: the relative importance of specific leaf area and nitrogen partitioning in maximizing carbon gain. Plant, Cell & Environment 24, 755–767.
Photosynthetic acclimation of plants to growth irradiance: the relative importance of specific leaf area and nitrogen partitioning in maximizing carbon gain.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXmsFCmurk%3D&md5=89ad859e69a57a25251f9cc1947118acCAS |

Farquhar GD, Richards RA (1984) Isotopic composition of plant carbon correlates with water-use efficiency of wheat genotypes. Australian Journal of Plant Physiology 11, 539–552.
Isotopic composition of plant carbon correlates with water-use efficiency of wheat genotypes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaL2MXhtFSju7w%3D&md5=6d68b1a5561d71b7f0f480fb6c702091CAS |

Farquhar GD, O’Leary MH, Berry JA (1982) On the relationship between carbon isotope discrimination and the intercellular carbon dioxide concentration in leaves. Australian Journal of Plant Physiology 9, 121–137.
On the relationship between carbon isotope discrimination and the intercellular carbon dioxide concentration in leaves.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaL38XhsF2ms70%3D&md5=b75c628f7553ab4d91e590fd2bab057aCAS |

Feng Y-L, Fu G-L, Zheng Y-L (2008) Specific leaf area relates to the differences in leaf construction cost, photosynthesis, nitrogen allocation, and use efficiencies between invasive and noninvasive alien congeners. Planta 228, 383–390.
Specific leaf area relates to the differences in leaf construction cost, photosynthesis, nitrogen allocation, and use efficiencies between invasive and noninvasive alien congeners.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXosVCjsL8%3D&md5=006bdefc99f50b8445b00be3361cf1bdCAS | 18392694PubMed |

Fischer RA (2007) Understanding the physiological basis of yield potential in wheat. The Journal of Agricultural Science 145, 99–113.
Understanding the physiological basis of yield potential in wheat.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Fischer RA, Rees D, Sayre KD, Lu ZM, Condon AG, Saavedra AL (1998) Wheat yield progress associated with higher stomatal conductance and photosynthetic rate, and cooler canopies. Crop Science 38, 1467–1475.
Wheat yield progress associated with higher stomatal conductance and photosynthetic rate, and cooler canopies.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Fleischer WE (1935) The relation between chlorophyll content and rate of photosynthesis. The Journal of General Physiology 18, 573–597.
The relation between chlorophyll content and rate of photosynthesis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaA2MXls1eltw%3D%3D&md5=7f70e64f822afda31d99e2e5439e27b4CAS | 19872868PubMed |

Gailing O, Langenfeld-Heyser R, Polle A, Finkeldey R (2008) Quantitative trait loci affecting stomatal density and growth in a Quercus robur progeny: implications for the adaptation to changing environments. Global Change Biology 14, 1934–1946.
Quantitative trait loci affecting stomatal density and growth in a Quercus robur progeny: implications for the adaptation to changing environments.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Grandillo S, Zamir D, Tanksley SD (1999) Genetic improvement of processing tomatoes: a 20 years perspective. Euphytica 110, 85–97.
Genetic improvement of processing tomatoes: a 20 years perspective.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Gur A, Zamir D (2004) Unused natural variation can lift yield barriers in plant breeding. PLoS Biology 2, e245
Unused natural variation can lift yield barriers in plant breeding.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 15328532PubMed |

Gur A, Osorio S, Fridman E, Fernie AR, Zamir D (2010) hi2–1, a QTL which improves harvest index, earliness and alters metabolite accumulation of processing tomatoes. Theoretical and Applied Genetics 121, 1587–1599.
hi2–1, a QTL which improves harvest index, earliness and alters metabolite accumulation of processing tomatoes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 20680612PubMed |

Hanan JJ (1998) ‘Greenhouses: advanced technology for protected horticulture’. (CRC Press LLC, Boca Raton)

Hanson BR, May DM (2006) Crop evapotranspiration of processing tomato in the San Joaquin Valley of California, USA. Irrigation Science 24, 211–221.
Crop evapotranspiration of processing tomato in the San Joaquin Valley of California, USA.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Jones CM, Rick CM, Adams D, Jernstedt J, Chetelat RT (2007) Genealogy and fine mapping of Obscuravenosa, a gene affecting the distribution of chloroplasts in leaf veins and evidence of selection during breeding of tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum; Solanaceae). American Journal of Botany 94, 935–947.
Genealogy and fine mapping of Obscuravenosa, a gene affecting the distribution of chloroplasts in leaf veins and evidence of selection during breeding of tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum; Solanaceae).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 21636462PubMed |

LeCain DR, Morgan JA, Zerbi G (1989) Leaf anatomy and gas-exchange in nearly isogenic semidwarf and tall winter-wheat. Crop Science 29, 1246–1251.
Leaf anatomy and gas-exchange in nearly isogenic semidwarf and tall winter-wheat.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Lichtenthaler HK (1987) Chlorophylls and carotenoids: pigments of photosynthetic biomembranes. Methods in Enzymology 148, 350–382.
Chlorophylls and carotenoids: pigments of photosynthetic biomembranes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaL1cXhs1Cgu78%3D&md5=041076a8f3c69c36f5579daa6dec35b8CAS |

Lu Z, Percy RG, Qualset CO, Zeiger E (1998) Stomatal conductance predicts yields in irrigated Pima cotton and bread wheat grown at high temperatures. Journal of Experimental Botany 49, 453–460.

Martin B, Tauer CG, Lin RK (1999) Carbon isotope discrimination as a tool to improve water-use efficiency in tomato. Crop Science 39, 1775–1783.
Carbon isotope discrimination as a tool to improve water-use efficiency in tomato.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

McCune B, Grace JB (2002) ‘Analysis of ecological communities.’ (MjM Software Design, Gleneden Beach)

Morgan JA, LeCain DR, Wells R (1990) Semidwarfing genes concentrate photosynthetic machinery and affect leaf gas-exchange of wheat. Crop Science 30, 602–608.

Murchie EH, Pinto M, Horton P (2009) Agriculture and the new challenges for photosynthesis research. New Phytologist 181, 532–552.
Agriculture and the new challenges for photosynthesis research.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXivFSls70%3D&md5=8d73380c642ae382a347354b236e296eCAS | 19140947PubMed |

Ortiz-Monasterio JI, Sayre KD, Rajaram S, McMahon M (1997) Genetic progress in wheat yield and nitrogen use efficiency under four nitrogen rates. Crop Science 37, 898–904.
Genetic progress in wheat yield and nitrogen use efficiency under four nitrogen rates.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Passioura JB (2002) Environmental biology and crop improvement. Functional Plant Biology 29, 537–546.
Environmental biology and crop improvement.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Poorter H, Evans JR (1998) Photosynthetic nitrogen-use efficiency of species that differ inherently in specific leaf area. Oecologia 116, 26–37.
Photosynthetic nitrogen-use efficiency of species that differ inherently in specific leaf area.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Porter DR, MacGillivray JH (1937) ‘The production of tomatoes in California. California Agricultural Extension Service Circular 104.’ (College of Agriculture, University of California: Berkeley)

Sinclair TR, Purcell LC, Sneller CH (2004) Crop transformation and the challenge to increase yield potential. Trends in Plant Science 9, 70–75.
Crop transformation and the challenge to increase yield potential.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXhtVOku7c%3D&md5=b6a73f1cdc8a6eecffa4673a111f15aeCAS | 15102372PubMed |

Stevens MA, Rick CM (1986) Genetics and breeding. In ‘The tomato crop: a scientific basis for improvement’. (Eds JG Atherton, J Rudich) pp. 35–105. (Chapman and Hall: New York)

Tanaka Y, Shiraiwa T, Nakajima A, Sato J, Nakazaki T (2008) Leaf gas exchange activity in soybean as related to leaf traits and stem growth habit. Crop Science 48, 1925–1932.
Leaf gas exchange activity in soybean as related to leaf traits and stem growth habit.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXht1Omt7vL&md5=03e0a5191af1642f403175392ad075bcCAS |

Terashima I, Araya T, Miyazawa S, Sone K, Yano S (2005) Construction and maintenance of the optimal photosynthetic systems of the leaf, herbaceous plant and tree: an eco-developmental treatise. Annals of Botany 95, 507–519.
Construction and maintenance of the optimal photosynthetic systems of the leaf, herbaceous plant and tree: an eco-developmental treatise.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2MXitVamt7Y%3D&md5=7852bc22f402606285b6dc39137b8619CAS | 15598701PubMed |

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) (2009) ‘U.S. processing tomatoes: area, yield, production, and value, 1960–2009.’ (USDA, Economics, Statistics, and Market Information System: Ithaca, NY) Available at: http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/MannUsda/ [Verified 5 September 2013].

University of California Davis (UC Davis) (2012). ‘USDA-NRCS soil survey geographic database (SSURGO) database.’ (California Soil Resource Lab: Davis). Available at: http://casoilresource.lawr.ucdavis.edu/gmap/ [Verified 5 September 2013].

Watanabe N, Evans JR, Chow WS (1994) Changes in the photosynthetic properties of Australian wheat cultivars over the last century. Australian Journal of Plant Physiology 21, 169–183.
Changes in the photosynthetic properties of Australian wheat cultivars over the last century.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK2cXktlWhu70%3D&md5=40c48914ab55f41e21ac348136a4fa21CAS |

Wentworth M, Murchie EH, Gray JE, Villegas D, Pastenes C, Pinto M, Horton P (2006) Differential adaptation of two varieties of common bean to abiotic stress: II. Acclimation of photosynthesis. Journal of Experimental Botany 57, 699–709.
Differential adaptation of two varieties of common bean to abiotic stress: II. Acclimation of photosynthesis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28XovVCqug%3D%3D&md5=c014dda812fa8be945e7257dbf89561eCAS | 16415331PubMed |

Xu X, Martin B, Comstock JP, Vision TJ, Tauer CG, Zhao B, Pausch RC, Knapp S (2008) Fine mapping a QTL for carbon isotope composition in tomato. Theoretical and Applied Genetics 117, 221–233.
Fine mapping a QTL for carbon isotope composition in tomato.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXnslKlu78%3D&md5=3536e8bbff46b278c75952271feeac52CAS | 18542914PubMed |