Tomato Breeding Without AP Locus for Heat and TBRFV Tolerance

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for S. lycopersicum plants that are tolerant to high temperature conditions and resistant to Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (TBRFV) without exhibiting an aberrant phenotype, as skewed segregation and genetic incompatibilities complicate the selection of plants with desirable agronomical traits.

Innovation Solution

A method involving marker-assisted selection to identify and exclude the aberrant phenotype locus (AP locus) on chromosome 9, combined with the presence of a TBRFV resistance gene, ensures plants maintain improved agronomical traits and resistance to TBRFV under high temperatures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If plants are bred for resistance to TBRFV using wild relative species (S. habrochaites), then resistance to TBRFV is improved, but an aberrant phenotype appears under high temperature conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresistance to TBRFVVSAvoidaberrant phenotype under heat stress

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes the specific aberrant phenotype locus (AP locus) from the genome while retaining the beneficial TBRFV resistance gene. This is achieved through marker-assisted selection that identifies and eliminates plants carrying the AP locus, thereby separating the harmful phenotype from the desired resistance trait.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the genetic parameter by selecting for specific marker genotypes that indicate absence of the AP locus. By monitoring marker alleles associated with the AP locus and selecting against them, the breeding process transforms the genetic composition to eliminate the aberrant phenotype while preserving resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If marker-assisted selection is used to exclude the AP locus, then the aberrant phenotype is eliminated, but the selection process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaberrant phenotypeVSAvoidselection process

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces traditional phenotypic selection methods with molecular marker-based selection. Instead of visually assessing and selecting plants based on physical traits, the process uses DNA markers to directly identify and select plants with the desired genetic composition, streamlining the selection process despite the added molecular analysis step.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If wild relative species are used as donors for breeding, then disease resistance is improved, but genetic diversity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisease resistanceVSAvoidgenetic diversity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts only the specific beneficial gene(s) conferring TBRFV resistance from the wild relative species while removing unwanted genetic material including the AP locus. This targeted approach allows utilization of resistance traits without introducing excessive genetic material that could reduce overall genetic diversity or cause incompatibilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS20260101857A1Method for selecting an s. lycopersicum plant tolerant to high temperature conditions

Publication Date: 2026.04.16 ENZA ZADEN BEHEER BV

AI summary

The present invention relates to methods for selecting a S. lycopersicum plant that is tolerant to high temperature conditions and has an agronomical phenotype, wherein the plant is absent of an AP locus. The methods furthermore comprise the selecting a plant that is resistant to Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (TBRFV) comprising a TBRFV resistance gene. Furthermore, the invention relates to high temperature tolerant tomato plants (S. lycopersicum) that show an agronomical phenotype and in addition are preferably resistant to TBRFV.