Gene helps determine tomato shape

Ohio State University scientists identified and cloned a gene that controls tomato shape. The SUN gene is the second to be found to have a significant role in the elongated shape of tomato varieties.

The gene takes its name from the Sun 1642 oval-shaped Roma-type tomato where it was found. Scientists determined that the gene is turned on at high levels in tomato varieties that produce elongated fruit and turned off in round fruit. The gene was very common in elongated heirloom varieties.

The gene could become important in controlling and modifying fruit shape, leading to development of new varieties that could help growers and processors reduce costs.

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For more: Esther van der Knaap, Ohio State University-Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, (330) 263-3822; vanderknaap.1@osu.edu; http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/tomshape.htm. 

June 2008