Relationship between some morphological traits of the tomato lines and resistance to tomato yellow leaf curl virus disease

Abstract

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is the most produced and exported vegetable in Turkey. There are many pathogens to limit tomato production by reducing yield and fruit quality. Among them, Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus (TYLCV) causes important economic losses. The most efficient and environmentally friendly method against TYLCV is the use of resistant varieties. In this trial, it was aimed to determine some morphological traits which were linked to Ty-1 and Ty-3a genes which confer to TYLCV. A commercial hybrid carrying Ty-1, Ty-3a genes as heterozygous was crossed to a susceptible inbred line from Bati Akdeniz Agricultural and Research Institute (BATEM). Marker assisted selection (MAS) was carried out in F1 and F2 generations and biological tests were done for TYLCV resistance in F3 generation. MAS for Ty-3a and Ty-1 genes were compatible with biological tests. In total of 95 genotypes in F3 were developed with molecular marker selection. It was determined that 30 genotypes having the Ty-3a and Ty-1 genes as homozygous resistant. The nine genotypes carried these genes in heterozygous form. 56 genotypes were identified as susceptible. The 43 morphological traits were observed in identified individuals to correlate with resistant allele, Ty-3a. It was found that there was statistically important correlation between Ty-3a and length of internode, length of stem at first inflorescence, status of calix, leaf attitude, length of inflorescence and plant habitus. Also, there was negative correlation between fruit weight, fruit length and resistance. Therefore, we identified some morphological markers linked to Ty-3a which can be used in selection for TLYCV resistant breeding programme.

Keywords

• biological test; mas; morphological traits; tomato; ty-3a, resistance