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Goetz M, Hooper LC, Johnson SD, Rodrigues JCM, Vivian-Smith A, Koltunow AM. Expression of aberrant forms of AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR8 stimulates parthenocarpy in Arabidopsis and tomato. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2007; 145:351-66. [PMID: 17766399 PMCID: PMC2048734 DOI: 10.1104/pp.107.104174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 156] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2007] [Accepted: 08/22/2007] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Fruit initiation in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) is generally repressed until fertilization occurs. However, mutations in AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR8 (ARF8) uncouple fruit initiation from fertilization, resulting in the formation of seedless, parthenocarpic fruit. Here we induced parthenocarpy in wild-type Arabidopsis by introducing either the mutant genomic (g) Atarf8-4 sequence or gAtARF8:beta-glucuronidase translational fusion constructs by plant transformation. Silencing of endogenous AtARF8 transcription was not observed, indicating that the introduced, aberrant ARF8 transcripts were compromising the function of endogenous ARF8 and/or associated factors involved in suppressing fruit initiation. To analyze the role of ARF8 in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) we initially emasculated 23 tomato cultivars to test for background parthenocarpy. Surprisingly, all had a predisposition to initiate fertilization-independent fruit growth. Expression of gAtarf8-4 in transgenic tomato ('Monalbo') resulted in a significant increase in the number and size of parthenocarpic fruit. Isolation of tomato ARF8 cDNA indicated significant sequence conservation with AtARF8. SlARF8 may therefore control tomato fruit initiation in a similar manner as AtARF8 does in Arabidopsis. Two SlARF8 cDNAs differing in size by 5 bp were found, both arising from the same gene. The smaller cDNA is a splice variant and is also present in Arabidopsis. We propose that low endogenous levels of the splice variant products might interfere with efficient formation/function of a complex repressing fruit initiation, thereby providing an explanation for the observed ovary expansion in tomato and also Arabidopsis after emasculation. Increasing the levels of aberrant Atarf8-4 transcripts may further destabilize formation/function of the complex in a dosage-dependent manner enhancing tomato parthenocarpic fruit initiation frequency and size and mimicking the parthenocarpic dehiscent silique phenotype found in homozygous Atarf8-4 mutants. Collectively these data suggest that similar mechanisms involving auxin signaling exist to inhibit parthenocarpic fruit set in tomato and Arabidopsis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Goetz
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Plant Industry, Glen Osmond, South Australia 5064, Australia
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Pandolfini T, Molesini B, Spena A. Molecular dissection of the role of auxin in fruit initiation. TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2007; 12:327-9. [PMID: 17629541 DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2007.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2006] [Revised: 04/12/2007] [Accepted: 06/28/2007] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Fruit set and growth usually requires fertilization. Fruit set and development without fertilization is called parthenocarpy. Feeding auxin to virgin flowers induces fruit development without fertilization. Recent studies by Hua Wang et al. and Marc Goetz et al. have identified molecular events leading to fruit initiation in the absence of fertilization, showing that parthenocarpy can be achieved by altering different steps of the auxin signaling pathway. Thus, independent evidence indicates that auxin plays a key role in fruit initiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiziana Pandolfini
- Dipartimento Scientifico Tecnologico, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy
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Costantini E, Landi L, Silvestroni O, Pandolfini T, Spena A, Mezzetti B. Auxin synthesis-encoding transgene enhances grape fecundity. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2007; 143:1689-94. [PMID: 17337528 PMCID: PMC1851826 DOI: 10.1104/pp.106.095232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Grape (Vitis vinifera) yield is largely dependent on the fecundity of the cultivar. The average number of inflorescences per shoot (i.e. shoot fruitfulness) is a trait related to fecundity of each grapevine. Berry number and weight per bunch are other features affecting grape yield. An ovule-specific auxin-synthesizing (DefH9-iaaM) transgene that increases the indole-3-acetic acid content of grape transgenic berries was transformed into cultivars Silcora and Thompson Seedless, which differ in the average number of inflorescences per shoots. Thompson Seedless naturally has very low shoot fruitfulness, whereas Silcora has medium shoot fruitfulness. The average number of inflorescences per shoot in DefH9-iaaM Thompson Seedless was doubled compared to its wild-type control. Berry number per bunch was increased in both transgenic cultivars. The quality and nutritional value of transgenic berries were substantially equivalent to their control fruits. The data presented indicate that auxin enhances fecundity in grapes, thus enabling to increase yield with lower production costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Costantini
- Dipartimento Scienze Ambientali e delle Produzioni Vegetali, Marche Polytechnic University, 60131 Ancona, Italy
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Yin Z, Malinowski R, Ziółkowska A, Sommer H, Plcader W, Malepszy S. The DefH9-iaaM-containing construct efficiently induces parthenocarpy in cucumber. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2006; 11:279-90. [PMID: 16847572 PMCID: PMC6275954 DOI: 10.2478/s11658-006-0024-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2006] [Accepted: 04/18/2006] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Parthenocarpy (seedless fruits) is a desirable trait that has been achieved in many plant cultivars. We generated parthenocarpic cucumber fruits by introducing the chimeric DefH9-iaaM construct into the cucumber genome using an Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated protocol. The construct consists of the DefH9 promoter from Antirrhinum majus and the iaaM coding sequence from Pseudomonas syringae. Transgenic plants were obtained from nine independent transformation events: half of these were tetraploid and did not produce seeds following self-pollination, while the remaining half were capable of displaying parthenocarpy in the subsequent reproductive generation. Of the fruits produced by the transgenic lines, 70-90% were parthenocarpic. The segregation of the marker gene in the transgenic T(1) progeny indicated single gene inheritance. The seed set in the transgenic lines and their F(1) hybrids was lower than in the non-transgenic control plants. Some of the methodological details and the practical significance of the results are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhimin Yin
- Institute of Plant Genetics, Polish Academy of Science, Strzeszyńska 34, 60-479 Poznań, Poland
| | - Robert Malinowski
- Department of Plant Genetics, Breeding and Biotechnology, Faculty of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Warsaw Agriculture University, Nowoursynowska 166, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Ziółkowska
- Department of Plant Genetics, Breeding and Biotechnology, Faculty of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Warsaw Agriculture University, Nowoursynowska 166, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Hans Sommer
- Department of Molecular Plant Genetics, Max Planck Institut für Zuechtungsforschung, 50829 Cologne, Germany
| | - Wojciech Plcader
- Department of Plant Genetics, Breeding and Biotechnology, Faculty of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Warsaw Agriculture University, Nowoursynowska 166, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Stefan Malepszy
- Department of Plant Genetics, Breeding and Biotechnology, Faculty of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Warsaw Agriculture University, Nowoursynowska 166, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
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55
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Rotino GL, Acciarri N, Sabatini E, Mennella G, Lo Scalzo R, Maestrelli A, Molesini B, Pandolfini T, Scalzo J, Mezzetti B, Spena A. Open field trial of genetically modified parthenocarpic tomato: seedlessness and fruit quality. BMC Biotechnol 2005; 5:32. [PMID: 16371162 PMCID: PMC1361772 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6750-5-32] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2005] [Accepted: 12/21/2005] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Parthenocarpic tomato lines transgenic for the DefH9-RI-iaaM gene have been cultivated under open field conditions to address some aspects of the equivalence of genetically modified (GM) fruit in comparison to controls (non-GM). Results Under open field cultivation conditions, two tomato lines (UC 82) transgenic for the DefH9-RI-iaaM gene produced parthenocarpic fruits. DefH9-RI-iaaM fruits were either seedless or contained very few seeds. GM fruit quality, with the exception of a higher β-carotene level, did not show any difference, neither technological (colour, firmness, dry matter, °Brix, pH) nor chemical (titratable acidity, organic acids, lycopene, tomatine, total polyphenols and antioxidant capacity – TEAC), when compared to that of fruits from control line. Highly significant differences in quality traits exist between the tomato F1 commercial hybrid Allflesh and the three UC 82 genotypes tested, regardless of whether or not they are GM. Total yield per plant did not differ between GM and parental line UC 82. Fruit number was increased in GM lines, and GM fruit weight was decreased. Conclusion The use in the diet of fruits from a new line or variety introduces much greater changes than the consumption of GM fruits in comparison to its genetic background. Parthenocarpic fruits, produced under open field conditions, contained 10-fold less seeds than control fruits. Thus parthenocarpy caused by DefH9-RI-iaaM gene represents also a tool for mitigating GM seeds dispersal in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nazareno Acciarri
- CRA – Istituto Sperimentale per l'Orticoltura Sezione di Monsampolo del Tronto, Italy
| | - Emidio Sabatini
- CRA – Istituto Sperimentale per l'Orticoltura Sezione di Monsampolo del Tronto, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Mennella
- CRA – Istituto Sperimentale per l'Orticoltura di Pontecagnano, Italy
| | - Roberto Lo Scalzo
- CRA. – Istituto Sperimentale per la Valorizzazione Tecnologica dei Prodotti Agricoli di Milano, Italy
| | - Andrea Maestrelli
- CRA. – Istituto Sperimentale per la Valorizzazione Tecnologica dei Prodotti Agricoli di Milano, Italy
| | - Barbara Molesini
- Dipartimento Scientifico e Tecnologico, Università di Verona, Italy
| | | | - Jessica Scalzo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali e delle Produzioni Vegetali, Università Politecnica delle Marche di Ancona, Italy
| | - Bruno Mezzetti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali e delle Produzioni Vegetali, Università Politecnica delle Marche di Ancona, Italy
| | - Angelo Spena
- Dipartimento Scientifico e Tecnologico, Università di Verona, Italy
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Lemaire-Chamley M, Petit J, Garcia V, Just D, Baldet P, Germain V, Fagard M, Mouassite M, Cheniclet C, Rothan C. Changes in transcriptional profiles are associated with early fruit tissue specialization in tomato. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2005; 139:750-69. [PMID: 16183847 PMCID: PMC1255993 DOI: 10.1104/pp.105.063719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
The cell expansion phase contributes in determining the major characteristics of a fleshy fruit and represents two-thirds of the total fruit development in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). So far, it has received very little attention. To evaluate the interest of a genomic scale approach, we performed an initial sequencing of approximately 1,200 cell expansion stage-related sequence tags from tomato fruit at 8, 12, and 15 d post anthesis. Interestingly, up to approximately 35% of the expressed sequence tags showed no homology with available tomato expressed sequence tags and up to approximately 21% with any known gene. Microarrays spotted with expansion phase-related cDNAs and other fruit cDNAs involved in various developmental processes were used (1) to profile gene expression in developing fruit and other plant organs and (2) to compare two growing fruit tissues engaged mostly in cell division (exocarp) or in cell expansion (locular tissue surrounding the seeds). Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis was further used to confirm microarray results and to specify expression profiles of selected genes (24) in various tissues from expanding fruit. The wide range of genes expressed in the exocarp is consistent with a protective function and with a high metabolic activity of this tissue. In addition, our data show that the expansion of locular cells is concomitant with the expression of genes controlling water flow, organic acid synthesis, sugar storage, and photosynthesis and suggest that hormones (auxin and gibberellin) regulate this process. The data presented provide a basis for tissue-specific analyses of gene function in growing tomato fruit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martine Lemaire-Chamley
- Unité Mixte de Recherche 619, Physiologie et Biotechnologie Végétales, Institut de Biologie Végétale Intégrative, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Universités Bordeaux 1 et Victor Segalen Bordeaux 2, Villenave d'Ornon, France
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57
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Gorguet B, van Heusden AW, Lindhout P. Parthenocarpic fruit development in tomato. PLANT BIOLOGY (STUTTGART, GERMANY) 2005; 7:131-9. [PMID: 15822008 DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-837494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Parthenocarpic fruit development is a very attractive trait for growers and consumers. In tomato, three main sources of facultative parthenocarpy, pat, pat-2, pat-3/pat-4, are known to have potential applications in agriculture. The parthenocarpic fruit development in these lines is triggered by a deregulation of the hormonal balance in some specific tissues. Auxins and gibberellins are considered as the key elements in parthenocarpic fruit development of those lines. An increased level of these hormones in the ovary can substitute for pollination and trigger fruit development. This has opened up genetic engineering approaches for parthenocarpy that have given promising results, both in quality and quantity of seedless fruit production.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Gorguet
- Laboratory of Plant Breeding, Graduate School of Plant Sciences, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 386, 6700 AJ Wageningen, The Netherlands.
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58
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Mezzetti B, Landi L, Pandolfini T, Spena A. The defH9-iaaM auxin-synthesizing gene increases plant fecundity and fruit production in strawberry and raspberry. BMC Biotechnol 2004; 4:4. [PMID: 15113427 PMCID: PMC394336 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6750-4-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2003] [Accepted: 03/15/2004] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The DefH9-iaaM gene fusion which is expressed specifically in placenta/ovules and promotes auxin-synthesis confers parthenocarpic fruit development to eggplant, tomato and tobacco. Transgenic DefH9-iaaM eggplants and tomatoes show increased fruit production due mainly to an improved fruit set. However, the weight of the fruits is also frequently increased. Results DefH9-iaaM strawberry and raspberry plants grown under standard cultivation conditions show a significant increase in fruit number and size and fruit yield. In all three Rosaceae species tested, Fragaria vesca, Fragaria x ananassa and Rubus idaeus, DefH9-iaaM plants have an increased number of flowers per inflorescence and an increased number of inflorescences per plant. This results in an increased number of fruits per plant. Moreover, the weight and size of transgenic fruits was also increased. The increase in fruit yield was approximately 180% in cultivated strawberry, 140% in wild strawberry, and 100% in raspberry. The DefH9-iaaM gene is expressed in the flower buds of all three species. The total IAA (auxin) content of young flower buds of strawberry and raspberry expressing the DefH9-iaaM gene is increased in comparison to untransformed flower buds. The DefH9-iaaM gene promotes parthenocarpy in emasculated flowers of both strawberry and raspberry. Conclusions The DefH9-iaaM gene is expressed and biologically active in Rosaceae. The DefH9-iaaM gene can be used, under cultivation conditions that allow pollination and fertilization, to increase fruit productivity significantly in Rosaceae species. The finding that the DefH9-iaaM auxin-synthesizing gene increases the number of inflorescences per plant and the number of flowers per inflorescence indicates that auxin plays a role in plant fecundity in these three perennial Rosaceae species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Mezzetti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali e delle Produzioni Vegetali, via delle Brecce Bianche, Marche Polytechnic University, 60131 Ancona (IT)
| | - Lucia Landi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali e delle Produzioni Vegetali, via delle Brecce Bianche, Marche Polytechnic University, 60131 Ancona (IT)
| | - Tiziana Pandolfini
- Dipartimento Scientifico e Tecnologico, Strada Le Grazie 15, University of Verona, 37134 Verona (IT)
| | - Angelo Spena
- Dipartimento Scientifico e Tecnologico, Strada Le Grazie 15, University of Verona, 37134 Verona (IT)
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Carmi N, Salts Y, Dedicova B, Shabtai S, Barg R. Induction of parthenocarpy in tomato via specific expression of the rolB gene in the ovary. PLANTA 2003; 217:726-35. [PMID: 12783228 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-003-1052-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2002] [Accepted: 05/04/2003] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
The molecular signals for the development of the ovary into fruit following ovule fertilization are not clear. However, in many species, including tomato ( Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.), auxins and auxin transport inhibitors can substitute for fertilization as activators of fruit set, suggesting that this plant hormone plays a key role in this process. In agreement, transgenes for auxin biosynthesis expressed under ovary- or ovule-specific promoters were shown earlier to enable parthenocarpic (i.e. seedless) fruit development. In the present study, we tested an alternative approach for the induction of parthenocarpy that is based on ovary-specific expression of the Agrobacterium rhizogenes-derived gene rolB. This gene was chosen because rolB transgenic plants manifest several syndromes characteristic of auxin treatment. Tomato plants transformed with a chimeric construct containing the rolB gene fused to the ovary- and young-fruit-specific promoter TPRP-F1 developed parthenocarpic fruits. Fruit size and morphology, including jelly fill in the locules of the seedless fruits, were comparable to those of seeded fruits of the parental line. Although it is not known whether ROLB signals for the same cassette of genes involved in fertilization-dependent fruit development, it clearly activates a battery of genes that enable successful completion of seedless fruit development in tomato.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nir Carmi
- Department of Plant Genetics, Institute of Field and Garden Crops, The Volcani Center A.R.O., 50250 Bet Dagan, Israel
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Mezzetti B, Pandolfini T, Navacchi O, Landi L. Genetic transformation of Vitis vinifera via organogenesis. BMC Biotechnol 2002; 2:18. [PMID: 12354328 PMCID: PMC130035 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6750-2-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2002] [Accepted: 09/27/2002] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Efficient transformation and regeneration methods are a priority for successful application of genetic engineering to vegetative propagated plants such as grape. The current methods for the production of transgenic grape plants are based on Agrobacterium-mediated transformation followed by regeneration from embryogenic callus. However, grape embryogenic calli are laborious to establish and the phenotype of the regenerated plants can be altered. RESULTS Transgenic grape plants (V. vinifera, table-grape cultivars Silcora and Thompson Seedless) were produced using a method based on regeneration via organogenesis. In vitro proliferating shoots were cultured in the presence of increasing concentrations of N6-benzyl adenine. The apical dome of the shoot was removed at each transplantation which, after three months, produced meristematic bulk tissue characterized by a strong capacity to differentiate adventitious shoots. Slices prepared from the meristematic bulk were used for Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of grape plants with the gene DefH9-iaaM. After rooting on kanamycin containing media and greenhouse acclimatization, transgenic plants were transferred to the field. At the end of the first year of field cultivation, DefH9-iaaM grape plants were phenotypically homogeneous and did not show any morphological alterations in vegetative growth. The expression of DefH9-iaaM gene was detected in transgenic flower buds of both cultivars. CONCLUSIONS The phenotypic homogeneity of the regenerated plants highlights the validity of this method for both propagation and genetic transformation of table grape cultivars. Expression of the DefH9-iaaM gene takes place in young flower buds of transgenic plants from both grape cultivars.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Mezzetti
- Dipartimento Biotecnologie Agrarie e Ambientali, University of Ancona, Via Brecce Bianche 60100 – Ancona Italy
| | - Tiziana Pandolfini
- Dipartimento Scientifico Tecnologico, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie, 37134 Verona Italy
| | | | - Lucia Landi
- Dipartimento Biotecnologie Agrarie e Ambientali, University of Ancona, Via Brecce Bianche 60100 – Ancona Italy
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Acciarri N, Restaino F, Vitelli G, Perrone D, Zottini M, Pandolfini T, Spena A, Rotino GL. Genetically modified parthenocarpic eggplants: improved fruit productivity under both greenhouse and open field cultivation. BMC Biotechnol 2002; 2:4. [PMID: 11934354 PMCID: PMC101493 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6750-2-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2001] [Accepted: 04/04/2002] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Parthenocarpy, or fruit development in the absence of fertilization, has been genetically engineered in eggplant and in other horticultural species by using the DefH9-iaaM gene. The iaaM gene codes for tryptophan monoxygenase and confers auxin synthesis, while the DefH9 controlling regions drive expression of the gene specifically in the ovules and placenta. A previous greenhouse trial for winter production of genetically engineered (GM) parthenocarpic eggplants demonstrated a significant increase (an average of 33% increase) in fruit production concomitant with a reduction in cultivation costs. RESULTS GM parthenocarpic eggplants have been evaluated in three field trials. Two greenhouse spring trials have shown that these plants outyielded the corresponding untransformed genotypes, while a summer trial has shown that improved fruit productivity in GM eggplants can also be achieved in open field cultivation. Since the fruits were always seedless, the quality of GM eggplant fruits was improved as well. RT-PCR analysis demonstrated that the DefH9-iaaM gene is expressed during late stages of fruit development. CONCLUSIONS The DefH9-iaaM parthenocarpic gene is a biotechnological tool that enhances the agronomic value of all eggplant genotypes tested. The main advantages of DefH9-iaaM eggplants are: i) improved fruit productivity (at least 30-35%) under both greenhouse and open field cultivation; ii) production of good quality (marketable) fruits during different types of cultivation; iii) seedless fruit with improved quality. Such advantages have been achieved without the use of either male or female sterility genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazzareno Acciarri
- Research Institute for Vegetable Crops, Monsampolo del Tronto (AP) Italy
| | | | - Gabriele Vitelli
- Research Institute for Vegetable Crops, Monsampolo del Tronto (AP) Italy
| | | | - Michela Zottini
- Dipartimento Scientifico Tecnologico, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Tiziana Pandolfini
- Dipartimento Scientifico Tecnologico, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Angelo Spena
- Dipartimento Scientifico Tecnologico, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
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