Genetic Regulation of Fruit Shape in Horticultural Crops: A Review
Jia Liu,
Yang Xu,
Pingping Fang,
Qinwei Guo,
Wenjuan Huang,
Jiexi Hou,
Hongjian Wan,
Sheng Zhang
Affiliations
Jia Liu
College of Agriculture, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China
Yang Xu
State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Vegetables, China-Australia Research Centre for Crop Improvement, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
Pingping Fang
Quzhou Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation and Utilization of Crop, Institute of Vegetables, Quzhou Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Quzhou 324000, China
Qinwei Guo
Quzhou Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation and Utilization of Crop, Institute of Vegetables, Quzhou Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Quzhou 324000, China
Wenjuan Huang
Wulanchabu Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Wulanchabu 012000, China
Jiexi Hou
School of Soil and Water conservation, Nanchang Institute of Technology, Jiangxi Provincial Engineering Research Center for Seed-Breeding and Utilization of Camphor Trees, Nanchang 330099, China
Hongjian Wan
State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Vegetables, China-Australia Research Centre for Crop Improvement, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
Sheng Zhang
College of Agriculture, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China
The shape of fruits is a critical trait affecting the commercial value and consumer acceptance of horticultural crops. Genetic regulation of fruit shape involves complex interactions among multiple genes and environmental factors. This review summarizes recent advances in understanding the genetic mechanisms controlling fruit shape in several key horticultural crops, including tomato, pepper, cucumber, peach, and grape. We present the identification and characterization of genes and quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that influence fruit shape, focusing on the roles of genes such as OVATE, SUN, FAS, LC, ENO, GLOBE, CsSUN, CsFUL1, CsCRC, PpCAD1, PpOFP1, and VvSUN. This review highlights the importance of hormonal pathways, particularly those involving synthesis and concentration of cytokinins and brassinosteroids in shaping fruit morphology, and explores how these genes interact and form regulatory networks that collectively determine the final fruit shape. This knowledge provides a foundation for developing strategies to improve fruit quality and yield through genetic modification and breeding programs.
