Biology subjects

Tester, M.

Publications and source records attributed to Tester, M..

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

The nitrification inhibitor DMPP preferentially suppresses ammonia-oxidising bacteria and reduces nitric oxide emissions in an archaeal-dominated grassland soil.

Aims Although ammonia-oxidising archaea (AOA) dominate nitrifier communities in many agricultural soils, the contribution of the less abundant ammonia-oxidising bacteria (AOB) to nitrogen oxide emissions, particularly nitric oxide, remains poorly understood. This study investigated the roles of AOA and AOB in regulating nitric oxide (NO) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from a urea-fertilised grassland soil and evaluated the nitrification inhibitors dicyandiamide (DCD) and 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP). Methods A 28-day soil incubation experiment was conducted using a denitrification incubation system to continuously monitor NO and N2O emissions. In parallel, a destructive incubation experiment was performed to determine the dynamics of ammonium (NH-N) and total oxidised nitrogen (TOxN) and to assess changes in the abundance of AOA and AOB following urea application with or without DCD or DMPP. Results AOA accounted for approximately 66% of the total ammonia-oxidising community. Neither inhibitor significantly affected AOA abundance, whereas both suppressed AOB, with DMPP showing stronger and more persistent inhibition than DCD. DMPP reduced NO emissions by 16 to 75%, whereas N2O emissions decreased by only 0.2 to 27%. The greater reduction in NO, together with the preferential suppression of AOB, suggests that low-abundance AOB contributed disproportionately to NO production despite the numerical dominance of AOA. Conclusions These findings suggest that AOB can contribute disproportionately to NO emissions despite their lower abundance relative to AOA. The preferential suppression of AOB by DMPP was associated with a substantial reduction in NO emissions, highlighting AOB-associated processes as a potential target for mitigating reactive N losses from fertilised soils.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2026

Multi-tissue metabolic GWAS and drought-responsive multi-omics reveal the genetic basis of the quinoa metabolome

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) is a nutrient-rich pseudocereal with diverse specialized metabolites, yet the genetic basis of this metabolic diversity is poorly understood. Here we integrate whole-genome sequencing and multi-tissue metabolic profiling of 603 quinoa accessions. We detected 4,688 metabolic features and identified over 1,000 metabolites in seeds, leaves, and roots. Using multi-tissue genome-wide association, we mapped the genetic architecture of quinoa metabolome by identifying 584 quantitative trait loci (QTL) and prioritized 219 candidate genes across 58 major QTL governing saponin, betalain, and flavonoid biosynthesis. Moreover, we constructed a drought-responsive multi-omics regulatory network and uncovered additional key genes involved in quinoa stress signalling and metabolic pathways. Finally, we cloned and functional validated the roles of CYP76AD1 in betalamate accumulation, UGT91C1 in flavonoid glycosylation, and CYP72A154 and soyasapogenol B glucuronide galactosyltransferase (SGT) in saponin biosynthesis. This multi-omic framework provides a high-resolution map of the quinoa metabolome and a foundation for breeding nutrient-rich and stress-resilient quinoa cultivars.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Identification of molecular mechanisms contributing to acquired thermotolerance by transcriptome profiling

Heat stress poses a serious threat to plant survival and productivity, and has a direct influence on crop yield stability. Plants response to high temperature is tightly controlled by complex genetic networks. Plants can be acclimated through gradual pre-exposure to increasing temperatures and that in turn causes higher survival in subsequent and otherwise lethal heat stress conditions. To investigate the physiological and molecular processes underlying heat acclimation and recovery, we examined changes in Arabidopsis thaliana transcriptome throughout the acclimation and the subsequent heat shock treatment. Groups of differentially expressed genes and enriched biological pathways that constitute the heat transcriptional memory were identified. The function of flavonoids in plant heat stress were further explored experimentally. In addition, we observed altered stomata density and aperture responses in heat acclimated plants, and this might be partially controlled by AGAMOUS-LIKE16 (AGL16) transcription factor and its negative regulator microRNA824 (miR824).

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Leaf shape modulates climate trait relationships in the wild species Chenopodium hircinum (Amaranthaceae)

Understanding how leaf morphology mediates plant responses to environmental variation is essential for predicting species adaptability under climate change. In this study, we investigated natural variation in leaf shape and associated functional- physiological traits (FPTs) across populations of Chenopodium hircinum grown in a common garden. We found that leaf shape strongly correlates with the climatic conditions of population provenance, while functional and physiological traits are independently associated with morphology rather than directly with climate. Landmark-based morphometric analysis revealed that the second principal component, distinguishing deeply lobed from rounded leaves, is significantly linked to key traits such as leaf mass per unit area (LMA) and stomatal conductance. These relationships suggest that morphology mediates a functional continuum between resource-use strategies. Notably, within-population phenotypic variation accounted for much of the observed trait diversity, underscoring the role of individual-level phenotypic plasticity in shaping ecological function. Our results challenge traditional views on the thermoregulatory role of leaf lobation and highlight morphology as a central axis of adaptation. This work advances understanding of trait integration in response to environmental heterogeneity and suggests that plasticity in leaf shape and function may enhance resilience of C. hircinum across its native range.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2024

Root Remodeling Mechanisms and Salt Tolerance Trade-Offs: The Roles of HKT1, TMAC2, and TIP2;2 in Arabidopsis

Plant responses to salt stress involve complex processes integrating short- and long-term adaptations, including changes in ion transport, systemic signaling, root architecture, and biomass distribution. A key adaptive mechanism involves the regulation of sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) ion transport via Class 1 HKT1 transporters, which reduce Na+ accumulation in shoots, thereby enhancing salinity tolerance but at the expense of lateral root development. In this study, we identified differential roles of TMAC2 in modulating ABA accumulation and lateral root development under salt stress in two distinct Arabidopsis genotypes, Col-0 and C24. Overexpression of TMAC2 in the Col-0 background increased ABA accumulation, resulting in reduced lateral root development, suggesting a positive feedback loop involving HKT1, TMAC2, and ABA signaling. In contrast, TMAC2 overexpression in C24 reduced ABA accumulation in lines overexpressing HKT1, indicating genotype-specific differences in the TMAC2-HKT1 interaction. Additionally, we observed that the co-expression of TMAC2 and HKT1 in Col-0 induced ABI4 and ABI5 transcription factors, which are known to mediate salt sensitivity. These findings reveal a regulatory network where TMAC2 and HKT1 modulate salt stress responses through genotype-dependent feedback mechanisms. Our results highlight the complexity of root remodeling under salt stress and the crucial role of genetic background in shaping these adaptive responses.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2024

LEAF SHAPE OF QUINOA WILD ANCESTOR CHENOPODIUM HIRCINUM IN A GEOGRAPHIC CONTEXT

PremiseIntraspecific variation in plant traits, such as leaf morphology, offers insights into local adaptation and the ecological niche breadth of species. Chenopodium hircinum, the wild ancestor of quinoa, is widely distributed across various ecoregions in Argentina. A detailed comparative analysis of leaf morphology across 23 populations covering its entire distribution was conducted to understand patterns of intraspecific variation along geographic gradients. Materials and MethodsUsing 104 leaves from these populations, leaf shapes were described through shape, landmarks, and Fourier descriptors. Both univariate and multivariate analyses were employed to evaluate variations among and within populations and to link leaf shape patterns with climatic and geographical variables at the sites of origin. ResultsA significant variability in leaf shapes was found across all ecoregions, with marked integration among populations. While landmark-based and Fourier analyses differentiated populations, shape descriptors introduced complexity in identification. Leaf morphology varied widely, from rounded and toothed to sharply lobed, with prominent lobes located at the base or middle of the leaf. The key environmental factors influencing leaf shape, particularly lobulation and relative positioning, were mean annual temperature and altitude. ConclusionsThe findings suggest that in C. hircinum, leaf shape variability goes beyond the simple lobed vs. entire dichotomy and is shaped by environmental temperatures. Leaf morphology and margin traits are primarily governed by the relative position of the lobes, which are strongly correlated with the mean temperature at the populations origin. This convergence across different ecoregions highlights the need for further research to explore the functional significance of such variation.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2024

Dissecting the genetic regulation of lateral root development in tomato under salt stress

Roots are the primary site for sensing salt, making them critical to understanding how plants adapt to salinity. Unraveling the genetic and molecular mechanisms that maintain root growth under salt stress is essential for developing resilient crops. Tomatoes are vulnerable to salinity, as over 50% of arable land is projected to become saline by 2050. While salt stress effects on tomato seed germination, shoot growth, and fruit yield are well-documented, the genetic basis of root development under salinity remains underexplored. Previous studies focused on physiological responses of roots in a narrow range of cultivated-tomatoes, overlooking the genetic diversity for salt resilience in wild-relatives like Solanum pimpinellifolium. Here, we investigated salt-induced changes in root system architecture (RSA) across a natural diversity panel of 220 wild- and 25 cultivated-tomato varieties. We identified tolerant accessions with different RSA strategies; prioritizing lateral root elongation versus emergence. To identify genes involved in specific aspects of lateral root development, an F1 hybrid was generated that exhibited both parents combined characteristics. An F2-segregating population was then used to identify four distinct subpopulations for Bulk Segregant Analysis (BSA). Simultaneously, we conducted Genome-Wide-Association Studies (GWAS) on root architecture of wild-tomato accessions under salt stress. By integrating the results of BSA and GWAS, we identified 22 candidates involved in the maintenance of root architecture. We utilized RNA-Seq to examine transcriptome reprogramming of the 22 genes in tomato accessions with contrasting lateral root responses. This approach resulted in the identification of 2 genes, AP2-like-ethylene-responsive transcription factor TOE3 and L-ascorbate peroxidase. Using exogenous ethylene, we demonstrated that root architecture exhibits plasticity, which benefits the plant by reducing Na+ accumulation. We profiled H2O2 waves across root systems of tomatoes, emphasizing the role of ROS in maintaining root system architecture under salt stress. These findings provide novel genetic targets for enhancing salt resilience in tomatoes, opening avenues for future research and breeding programs.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2024

Natural variation in salt-induced changes in root:shoot ratio reveals SR3G as a negative regulator of root suberization and salt resilience in Arabidopsis

Soil salinity is one of the major threats to agricultural productivity worldwide. Salt stress exposure alters root and shoot growth rates, thereby affecting overall plant performance. While past studies have extensively documented the effect of salt stress on root elongation and shoot development separately, here we take an innovative approach by examining the coordination of root and shoot growth under salt stress conditions. Utilizing a newly developed tool for quantifying the root:shoot ratio in agar-grown Arabidopsis seedlings, we found that salt stress results in a loss of coordination between root and shoot growth rates. We identify a specific gene cluster encoding domain-of-unknown-function 247 (DUF247), and characterize one of these genes as Salt Root:shoot Ratio Regulator Gene (SR3G). Further analysis elucidates the role of SR3G as a negative regulator of salt stress tolerance, revealing its function in regulating shoot growth, root suberization, and sodium accumulation. We further characterize that SR3G expression is modulated by WRKY75 transcription factor, known as a positive regulator of salt stress tolerance. Finally, we show that the salt stress sensitivity of wrky75 mutant is completely diminished when it is combined with sr3g mutation. Together, our results demonstrate that utilizing root:shoot ratio as an architectural feature leads to the discovery of new stress resilience gene. The studys innovative approach and findings not only contribute to our understanding of plant stress tolerance mechanisms but also open new avenues for genetic and agronomic strategies to enhance crop environmental resilience.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2023

Zaxinone Synthase overexpression modulates rice physiology and metabolism, improving growth and productivity under normal and low phosphate supply

The rice Zaxinone Synthase (ZAS) gene encodes a carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase (CCD) that forms the apocarotenoid growth regulator zaxinone. Here, we generated and characterized constitutive ZAS-overexpressing rice lines, to better understand ZAS role in determining zaxinone content and regulating growth and architecture. ZAS overexpression enhanced endogenous zaxinone level, promoted root growth and meristem size, and increased the number of productive tillers, leading to an up to 30% higher grain yield per plant. Hormone analysis revealed a decrease in strigolactone (SL) content, which we confirmed by rescuing the high-tillering phenotype through application of a SL analog. Metabolomics analysis revealed that ZAS overexpressing plants accumulate higher amounts of monosaccharide sugars, in line with transcriptome analysis. Moreover, transgenic plants showed higher carbon (C) assimilation rate and elevated root phosphate, nitrate and sulfate level, enhancing the tolerance towards low phosphate (Pi) and indicating a generally better nutrient uptake. Our study shows that ZAS regulates hormone homeostasis and a combination of physiological processes to promote growth and grain yield, which makes this gene an excellent candidate for sustainable crop improvement. TeaserZaxinone Synthase overexpression modulates rice metabolism and physiology and improves growth and phosphate uptake.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2023

Leaf and shoot apical meristem transcriptomes of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) in response to photoperiod and plant development

Our study aimed to identify candidate genes for flowering time regulation and photoperiod response in quinoa. We investigated the timing of photoperiod-driven floral transition and analyzed the transcriptomes of leaf and shoot apical meristems in photoperiod-sensitive and -insensitive quinoa accessions. Histology analysis of the apical meristem showed that floral transition in quinoa initiates two to three weeks after sowing. We found four groups of differentially expressed genes responding to plant development and floral transition, which were annotated in the QQ74-V2 reference genome, including (i) 222 genes differentially responding to photoperiod in leaves, (ii) 1,812 genes differentially expressed between accessions under long-day conditions in leaves, (iii) 57 genes responding to developmental changes between weeks under short-day conditions in leaves, and (iv) 911 genes responding to floral transition within the shoot apical meristem. Interestingly, out of the thousands of candidates, two putative FT orthologues and several others have been reported as key regulators of flowering time in other species (e.g., SOC1, COL, AP1). Additionally, we used co-expression networks to associate novel transcripts to a putative biological process based on the annotated genes within the same co-expression cluster. The candidate genes in this study would benefit quinoa breeding by identifying and integrating their beneficial haplotypes in crossing programs to develop adapted cultivars to diverse environmental conditions.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2023

Learning from the expert: studying Salicornia to understand salinity tolerance

Salinity remains a major inhibitor of crop production in irrigated and marginal lands. The identification of genes involved in salinity tolerance has been predominantly limited to model plants and crop species. However, plants naturally adapted to highly saline environments can provide key insights into mechanisms of salinity tolerance. Plants of the genus Salicornia grow in coastal salt marshes, and their growth is even stimulated by NaCl - much can be learnt from them. We generated genome sequences of two Salicornia species and studied the transcriptomic and proteomic responses of Salicornia bigelovii to NaCl. Through the generation of subcellular membrane proteomes, we found that SbiSOS1, a homolog of the well-known SALT-OVERLY-SENSITIVE 1 (SOS1) protein, appears to localize to the tonoplast, where it could be involved in mediating Na+ translocation into the vacuole to prevent toxicity in the cytosol. We identified 11 proteins of interest which, when expressed in yeast, altered salinity tolerance. One of these proteins, SbiSALTY, substantially improves yeast growth on saline media. Structural characterization using NMR showed it to be an intrinsically disordered protein and to localize to the endoplasmic reticulum in planta, where it could interact with ribosomes and RNA, potentially stabilizing or protecting them during salt stress. The study and understanding of the molecular mechanisms providing high salinity tolerance in S. bigelovii is likely to provide significant insights for improving salinity tolerance of crop plants.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2021

The diversity of quinoa morphological traits and seed metabolic composition

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is an herbaceous annual crop of the amaranth family (Amaranthaceae). It is increasingly cultivated for its nutritious grains, which are rich in protein and essential amino acids, lipids, and minerals. Quinoa exhibits a high tolerance towards various abiotic stresses including drought and salinity, which supports its agricultural cultivation under climate change conditions. The use of quinoa grains is compromised by anti-nutritional saponins, a terpenoid class of secondary metabolites deposited in the seed coat; their removal before consumption requires extensive washing, an economically and environmentally unfavorable process; or their accumulation can be reduced through breeding. In this study, we analyzed the seed metabolomes, including amino acids, fatty acids, and saponins, from 471 quinoa cultivars, including two related species, by liquid chromatography - mass spectrometry. Additionally, we determined a large number of agronomic traits including biomass, flowering time, and seed yield. The results revealed considerable diversity between genotypes and provide a knowledge base for future breeding or genome editing of quinoa. O_TBL View this table: org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@160e784org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@ff8bd1org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@13446daorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@11796eeorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1b607b8_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_TBL C_TBL

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2020

Genome-wide association study in the pseudocereal quinoa reveals selection pattern typical for crops with a short breeding history

Quinoa germplasm preserves useful and substantial genetic variation, yet it remains untapped due to a lack of implementation of modern breeding tools. We have integrated field and sequence data to characterize a large diversity panel of quinoa. Whole-genome sequencing of 310 accessions revealed 2.9 million polymorphic high confidence SNP loci. Highland and Lowland quinoa were clustered into two main groups, with FST divergence of 0.36 and fast LD decay of 6.5 and 49.8 Kb, respectively. A genome-wide association study uncovered 600 SNPs stably associated with 17 agronomic traits. Two candidate genes are associated with thousand seed weight, and a resistance gene analog is associated with downy mildew resistance. We also identified pleiotropically acting loci for four agronomic traits that are highly responding to photoperiod hence important for the adaptation to different environments. This work demonstrates the use of re-sequencing data of an orphan crop, which is partially domesticated to rapidly identify marker-trait association and provides the underpinning elements for genomics-enabled quinoa breeding.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2020

Genetic mapping of the early responses to salt stress in Arabidopsis thaliana

Salt stress decreases plant growth prior to significant ion accumulation in the shoot. However, the processes underlying this rapid reduction in growth are still unknown. To understand the changes in salt stress responses through time and at multiple physiological levels, examining different plant processes within a single setup is required. Recent advances in phenotyping has allowed the image-based estimation of plant growth, morphology, colour and photosynthetic activity. In this study, we examined the salt stress-induced responses of 191 Arabidopsis accessions from one hour to seven days after treatment using high-throughput phenotyping. Multivariate analyses and machine learning algorithms identified that quantum yield measured in the light-adapted state (Fv'/Fm') greatly affected growth maintenance in the early phase of salt stress, while maximum quantum yield (QY max) was crucial at a later stage. In addition, our genome-wide association study (GWAS) identified 770 loci that were specific to salt stress, in which two loci associated with QY max and Fv'/Fm' were selected for validation using T-DNA insertion lines. We characterised an unknown protein kinase found in the QY max locus, which reduced photosynthetic efficiency and growth maintenance under salt stress. Understanding the molecular context of the identified candidate genes will provide valuable insights into the early plant responses to salt stress. Furthermore, our work incorporates high-throughput phenotyping, multivariate analyses and GWAS, uncovering details of temporal stress responses, while identifying associations across different traits and time points, which likely constitute the genetic components of salinity tolerance.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2019

The use of high throughput phenotyping for assessment of heat stress-induced changes in Arabidopsis

The worldwide rise in heatwave frequency poses a threat to plant survival and productivity. Determining the new marker phenotypes that show reproducible response to heat stress and contribute to heat stress tolerance is becoming a priority. In this study, we describe a protocol focusing on the daily changes in plant morphology and photosynthetic performance after exposure to heat stress using an automated non-invasive phenotyping system. Heat stress exposure resulted in an acute reduction of quantum yield of photosystem II and increased leaf angle. In the longer term, exposure to heat also affected plant growth and morphology. By tracking the recovery period of WT and mutants impaired in thermotolerance (hsp101), we observed that the difference in maximum quantum yield, quenching, rosette size, and morphology. By examining the correlation across the traits throughout time, we observed that early changes in photochemical quenching corresponded with the rosette size at later stages, which suggests the contribution of quenching to overall heat tolerance. We also determined that 6h of heat stress provides the most informative insight in plant responses to heat, as it shows a clear separation between treated and non-treated plants as well as WT and hsp101. Our work streamlines future discoveries by providing an experimental protocol, data analysis pipeline and new phenotypes that could be used as targets in thermotolerance screenings.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2019

Machine Learning Reveals Spatiotemporal Genome Evolution in Asian Rice Domestication

Domestication is anthropogenic evolution that fulfills mankinds critical food demand. As such, elucidating the molecular mechanisms behind this process promotes the development of future new food resources including crops. With the aim of understanding the long-term domestication process of Asian rice and by employing the Oryza sativa subspecies (indica and japonica) as an Asian rice domestication model, we scrutinized past genomic introgressions between them as traces of domestication. Here we show the genome-wide introgressive region (IR) map of Asian rice, by utilizing 4,587 accession genotypes with a stable outgroup species, particularly at the finest resolution through a machine learning-aided method. The IR map revealed that 14.2% of the rice genome consists of IRs, including both wide IRs (recent) and narrow IRs (ancient). This introgressive landscape with their time calibration indicates that introgression events happened in multiple genomic regions over multiple periods. From the correspondence between our wide IRs and the so-called selective sweep regions, we provide a definitive answer to a long-standing controversy over the evolutionary origin of Asian rice domestication, single or multiple origins: It heavily depends upon which regions you pay attention to, implying that wider genomic regions represent immediate short history of Asian rice domestication as a likely support to the single origin, while its ancient history is interspersed in narrower traces throughout the genome as a possible support to the multiple origin.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2019

Genome wide identification of NAC transcription factors and their role in abiotic stress tolerance in Chenopodium quinoa

Chenopodium quinoa Willd. (quinoa) is a pseudocereal with high nutritional value and relatively high tolerance to several abiotic stresses, including water deficiency and salt stress, making it a suitable plant for the study of mechanisms of abiotic stress tolerance. NAC (NAM, ATAF and CUC) transcription factors are involved in a range of plant developmental processes and in the response of plants to biotic and abiotic stresses. In the present study, we perform a genome-wide comprehensive analysis of the NAC transcription factor gene family in quinoa. In total, we identified 107 quinoa NAC transcription factor genes, distributed equally between sub-genomes A and B. They are phylogenetically clustered into two major groups and 18 subgroups. Almost 75% of the identified CqNAC genes were duplicated two to seven times and the remaining 25% of the CqNAC genes were found as a single copy. We analysed the transcriptional responses of the identified quinoa NAC TF genes in response to various abiotic stresses. The transcriptomic data revealed 28 stress responsive CqNAC genes, where their expression significantly changed in response to one or more abiotic stresses, including salt, water deficiency, heat and phosphate starvation. Among these stress responsive NACs, some were previously known to be stress responsive in other species, indicating their potentially conserved function in response to abiotic stress across plant species. Six genes were differentially expressed specifically in response to phosphate starvation but not to other stresses, and these genes may play a role in controlling plant responses to phosphate deficiency. These results provide insights into quinoa NACs that could be used in the future for genetic engineering or molecular breeding.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2019

A diversity of traits contributes to salinity tolerance of wild Galapagos tomatoes seedlings

Traits of modern crops have been heavily selected in agriculture, causing the commercial lines to be more susceptible to harsh conditions, which their wild relatives are naturally better able to withstand. Understanding the developed mechanisms of tolerance present in wild relatives can enhance crop performance under stress. In this study, salinity tolerance traits of two species of wild tomato endemic to the Galapagos Islands, Solanum cheesmaniae and Solanum galapagense, were investigated. Since these tomatoes grow well despite being constantly splashed with seawater, they could be a valuable genetic resource for improving salinity tolerance in commercial tomatoes. To explore their potential, over 20 traits reflecting plant growth, physiology and ion content were recorded in 67 accessions of S. cheesmaniae and S. galapagense and two commercial tomato lines of Solanum lycopersicum. Salt treatments of 200 mM NaCl were applied for ten days, using supported hydroponics. Great natural variation was evident in the responses of the Galapagos tomatoes to salt stress and they also displayed greater tolerance to salt stress than the commercial lines tested, based on multivariate trait analyses. Although Galapagos tomatoes in general exhibited better tolerance to salt stress than the commercial lines tested, the accessions LA0317, LA1449 and LA1403 showed particularly high salinity tolerance based on growth maintenance under stress. Thus, Galapagos tomatoes should be further explored using forward genetic studies to identify and investigate the genes underlying their high tolerance and be used as a resource for increasing salinity tolerance of commercial tomatoes. The generated data, along with useful analysis tools, have been packaged and made publicly available via an interactive online application (https://github.com/mmjulkowska/La_isla_de_tomato) to facilitate trait selection and the use of Galapagos tomatoes for the development of salt tolerant commercial tomatoes.

plant biology↗