General Abstract There has been a steady increase in the use of medicinal plants in the last two decades in both developed and developing countries for prevention, management and treatment of diseases. This increase has been due to reasons such as ease of access, better cultural acceptability and compatibility, cost effectiveness and also the bid to “go natural”. Unfortunately, the notion that herbal medicines are relatively safe because they are natural has led to serious and potentially fatal consequences in phytotherapy. The lack of rigorous research to prove the effectiveness and safety of many medicinal plants is of great concern to the health care system. This thesis therefore addresses not just the efficacy, but also the safety of the extracts of the berry of Solanum aculeastrum - a medicinal plant used, among other things, for the treatment of breast cancer in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Particular attention was paid to the possible effect of different processing methods of the berry extracts on inflammation, cytotoxicity, and toxicity. In studying the comparative effects of various processing methods, four different preparations of the extracts were investigated. These include fresh, dried, boiled fresh, and boiled dried berries. While the effect of processing on the anti-inflammatory properties of the extracts was not dose dependent, the percentage reduction in inflammation was highly significant and more prominent in both concentrations of the boiled fresh berries than the reference drug, indomethacin. Furthermore, the four extracts varied in their ability to act either centrally or peripherally in their effect on pain. Assessment of the analgesic response using the formalin test showed that, at both concentrations tested, none of the extracts inhibited the first phase of the formalin test. Furthermore, it was observed that boiling had differing results on the activity of the iii fresh and dried extracts. While boiling of the dried berries reduced pain in the rats, the opposite trend was observed with the boiled fresh berries. Results of the influence of processing of the berries on cytotoxicity indicated that the extracts are potent inhibitors of human breast, cervical and colonic carcinoma cells and the non-cancerous cells (both the actively dividing and confluent Chang liver cells). Although, in terms of relative potency, the fresh berries appeared to be the most active of the extracts, processing of the berries caused an increase in apoptotic cells and a subsequent decrease in the necrotic cells. The effect of processing on the safety of the berry of S. aculeastrum on the rats fed for 28 days was also investigated. The various doses (1, 10 and 25 mg/kg body weight) of all the four extracts did not alter the activity and the weight of the animals throughout the period of treatment. A reduction in organ to body weight ratio of the heart, kidney, liver and spleen was observed in all the extracts. Regarding the haematological parameters, different patterns of effect were observed between the extracts and within the treated doses. The observed alterations in the biochemical parameters by the various extract of Solanum aculeastrum berries at all the doses may have consequential effects on the normal functioning of these organs. In conclusion, this study has shown that there is some justification for the traditional use of the berries of Solanum aculeastrum in the treatment of inflammation related ailments and cancer. However, the medicinal use of the plant also poses considerable health risks. Investigation conducted into the plant’s safety revealed that the berry extracts were nephrotoxic, hepatotoxic, haematotoxic and at higher doses, fatal. Another concern with regard to the plant’s safety is the non-selectivity of its extracts in the inhibition of carcinoma, actively dividing and un-dividing cells. Assessment of the effect of the processing on the berry’s efficacy and safety as herbal iv remedy produced mixed results. On the one hand, processing seemed to improve the extract’s anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity, while reducing its cytotoxic potential. On the other hand, a reduction in the toxicity was observed on the processed extracts compared to the fresh ones. This may be an indication that processing has an overall beneficial effect on the medicinal properties of the plant and should thus be considered as a method of making the berries of Solanum aculeastrum safer for use as a herbal remedy.

Leaves are responsible for the majority of the fixed carbon in most plant species. Along leaf development, the photosynthetic capacity increases until the organ reaches maturity. Consequently, at the onset of senescence the leaves have the highest photosynthetic activity, then, as the chloroplasts are dismantled and the photosynthetic machinery is degraded, leaves gradually lose the rate of carbon assimilation. Although the capacity to fix carbon declines as senescence progresses, nutrient remobilization from macromolecule degradation nourishes the developing sink organs. In this regard, delaying leaf senescence stands out as a promising strategy to increase plant yield as extends the window of time with maximum carbon fixation rate. Another approach that is receiving much attention is the manipulation of chlorophyll degradation once it potentially regulates photosynthetic capacity and affects the nutritional quality of harvestable organs. As chlorophyll is degraded, the released phytol is recycled and can be either stored (i.e. as fatty acid phytyl esters), used for chlorophyll synthesis or be incorporated in tocopherol biosynthesis. Tocopherols have high nutraceutical value due to their antioxidant properties. However, the majority of the studies regarding senescence and chlorophyll degradation were carried out in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana or grasses, creating a knowledge gap about these processes in fleshy fruit-bearing plants of human diet interest. In this regard, the tomato, Solanum lycopersicum, is an excellent model not only for the genetic and genomic resources, but also for its agronomic and nutritional importance. Thus, this project aims to extend what is known about the effects of chlorophyll degradation and senescence manipulation over the metabolism and yield of tomato plants, as well as fruit nutritional quality. In order to evaluate the consequences of alteration in chlorophyll degradation, first the enzymes chlorophyllase and pheophytinase, both capable of dephytylating the chlorophyll molecule, were identified and characterised. An extensive phylogenetic, evolutive and transcriptional analysis allowed the identification of two groups of chlorophyllases, one putatively involved in the response to different stimuli, while the other may act in chlorophyll homeostasis. As for pheophytinase, only one group was identified, being related to physiologically programmed processes that trigger chlorophyll degradation (i.e. leaf senescence and fruit ripening). Given this scenario, pheophytinase was chosen to be constitutively knocked-down in order to evaluate the effects over the metabolism of leaves and fruits. As consequence of this manipulation, transgenic plants were impaired in the leaf senescence-associated chlorophyll breakdown, but, although with an initial delay, fruit ripening-associated degreening was not compromised. Several photosynthetic and biochemical parameters were signs of photoinhibition, possibly due to a deficiency in chlorophyll recycling in leaves. This led to an increase in sugar exportation towards fruits, ultimately increasing soluble sugar content of ripe fruits. However, as a consequence, carotenoid levels were reduced, what, at least partially, it was compensated by an increase in tocopherol content. The results indicated that pheophytinase plays a role beyond senescence-associated chlorophyll degradation and its manipulation led to the development of fruit with increased soluble sugars and tocopherols at the cost of lowering carotenoid levels. Thus, these evidences support the manipulation of chlorophyll breakdown as a strategy for improvement of fleshy fruit plants. In order to address the effects of senescence over yield and fruit quality, the transcription factor ORESARA1, which has been widely characterised in A. thaliana and is considered a key regulator of senescence initiation, was targeted. After a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis and the characterization of the regulatory mechanisms, one putative ortholog was selected to be silenced. As consequence of this manipulation, leaves displayed increased chlorophyll content. Moreover, as senescence was delayed, the extent of photosynthetic activity of the leaves was also expanded. As the number of fruits was increased in the knockdown lines, this reflected in an increment in the harvest index. Ripe fruits accumulated more soluble sugars and tocopherols. Collectively, the results support the manipulation of leaf senescence as a strategy for tomato yield improvement. Altogether, data obtained enhance the knowledge about the impacts of chlorophyll degradation and leaf senescence over the metabolism of fleshy-fruit plants, providing strategies to increase yield and nutritional quality of fruits / As folhas, para a maioria das espécies vegetais, são o principal órgão responsável pela fixação de carbono. Durante o desenvolvimento foliar, o potencial fotossintético aumenta até a folha atingir a sua maturidade. Consequentemente, no momento que o programa de senescência se inicia, a folha apresenta a maior taxa de fotossíntese, a qual passa então a declinar conforme o cloroplasto se desorganiza e a maquinaria fotossintética é degradada. Apesar da redução na fixação de carbono, o catabolismo de macromoléculas possibilita a remobilização de nutrientes para os órgãos dreno em desenvolvimento. Neste contexto, atrasar a senescência destaca-se como uma promissora estratégia para aumento da produtividade, uma vez que estende o período de máxima fixação de carbono das folhas. Outra estratégia que tem recebido atenção por, potencialmente, regular a capacidade fotossintética e afetar a qualidade nutricional dos órgãos coletáveis é a manipulação da degradação da clorofila. Durante o catabolismo deste pigmento, o fitol liberado é reciclado podendo ser armazenado (i.e. na forma de ésteres de fitil com ácidos graxos), ser utilizado na síntese de novas moléculas de clorofila ou ser incorporado na rota biossintética de tocoferóis. Estes últimos compostos, por seu potencial antioxidante, possuem alto valor nutracêutico. No entanto, a maior parte dos estudos sobre senescência e degradação de clorofila foi realizada na planta modelo Arabidopsis thaliana ou em gramíneas, tornando escassas as informações relativas a plantas com frutos carnosos de interesse para a dieta humana. Nesse âmbito, o tomateiro, Solanum lycopersicum, é um excelente modelo de estudo não apenas pela disponibilidade de recursos genético e genômicos, mas também pela importância agronômica e nutricional desta espécie. Assim, este trabalho pretende expandir o conhecimento acerca dos efeitos da manipulação da degradação de clorofila e da senescência sobre o metabolismo e produtividade do tomateiro, bem como sobre a qualidade nutricional dos frutos. De modo a se avaliar as consequências de alterações na degradação de clorofila, iniciou-se por identificar e caracterizar em tomateiro as enzimas clorofilase e feofitinase, as quais catalisam a defitilação da molécula de clorofila. Uma vasta análise filogenética, evolutiva e transcricional permitiu a identificação de dois grupos de clorofilases, um dos quais estaria envolvido na plasticidade de respostas a estímulos e o outro na homeostase dos níveis de clorofila. Já para feofitinase, somente um grupo foi identificado, o qual está relacionado a processos fisiologicamente programados que levam à degradação de clorofila (i.e. senescência foliar e amadurecimento de frutos). Dado o panorama obtido, a feofitinase foi escolhida para ser constitutivamente silenciada de modo a se avaliar as consequências para o metabolismo de folhas e frutos. Como consequência do silenciamento, as linhagens transgênicas mostraram-se incapazes de degradar clorofila durante a senescência, mas, embora com um atraso nas etapas iniciais, a degradação ao longo do amadurecimento de frutos não foi comprometida. Diversos parâmetros fotossintéticos e bioquímicos foram indicativos de fotoinibição, possivelmente em virtude de uma deficiência na reciclagem da clorofila em folhas. Isto acarretou em um aumento na exportação de açúcares para frutos, incrementando a concentração de açúcares solúveis nos frutos maduros, que, em contrapartida, resultou na queda nos teores de carotenoides. A queda nestes compostos antioxidantes foi, ao menos parcialmente, compensada por um aumento nos níveis de tocoferóis. Os resultados indicaram que a feofitinase possui um papel além da degradação de clorofila associada à senescência, e que sua manipulação leva ao desenvolvimento de frutos com maior teor de açúcares solúveis e de tocoferóis ao custo da redução no de carotenoides. Desta forma, estas evidências suportam a manipulação da clorofila como estratégia para o melhoramento de frutos carnosos. Para investigar o efeito da senescência sobre a produtividade e qualidade de frutos foi escolhido o fator de transcrição ORESARA1, o qual está amplamente caracterizado em A. thaliana e é considerado um regulador chave no desencadeamento deste processo. A partir de uma extensa análise filogenética e da caracterização de sua regulação, um putativo ortólogo foi selecionado como alvo para silenciamento. Como consequência desta manipulação, folhas apresentaram os níveis de clorofila incrementados. Além disto, taxas fotossintéticas maiores que as do genótipo controle foram mantidas por maior tempo indicando que a iniciação da senescência foi retardada. Assim, estas plantas produziram um maior número de frutos, consequentemente, aumentando o índice de colheita dessas linhagens. Os frutos maduros apresentaram maiores teores de açúcares solúveis e de tocoferóis. Os resultados demostraram que o retardo do início da senescência é uma estratégia efetiva para aumento da produtividade de tomateiro. Coletivamente, os resultados obtidos aprofundam o conhecimento acerta dos impactos da degradação de clorofila e senescência sobre o metabolismo de plantas com frutos carnoso, além de prover estratégias para se incrementar a produtividade e a qualidade nutricional de frutos

La tomate est le deuxième légume le plus consommé dans le monde et la plus grande partie est consommée sous forme transformée. La tomate d’industrie est typiquement une culture exigeante en eau. La production se situe majoritairement en zone méditerranéenne, confrontée à des périodes de sécheresse de plus en plus fréquentes, et contrainte, dans le contexte de changement climatique, à réduire le prélèvement des ressources en eau pour son agriculture. L’eau est un facteur majeur qui impacte le rendement et la qualité des tomates et il y a donc un lien direct entre l’amont agricole (production), et l’aval industriel (transformation). Bien que des travaux visant à mieux comprendre les liens pré-post-récolte existent, mieux adapter la production face aux contraintes climatiques en évolution reste un challenge pour la filière, et c’est dans ce cadre que ce situe ce travail de thèse. Dans ce contexte, l’objectif de la thèse était d’analyser au cours de la chaine de production et de transformation, l’impact de facteurs agronomiques et technologiques sur la qualité des purées de tomate, et d’identifier au cours de cette chaine des leviers pour améliorer la qualité gustative, nutritionnelle et environnementale du produit fini. Etant donné cet objectif, ce travail a été construit pour analyser 1) quels sont les principaux facteurs agronomiques et technologiques responsables de la variabilité de la qualité des fruits frais et transformés au sein des zones de production françaises de tomates d’industrie ; 2) quels sont les effets de la variété, des apports en eau, du stade de développement, et du procédé sur la qualité des fruits frais et leur aptitude à la transformation ; 3) Quels sont les processus responsables des modifications des propriétés rhéologiques des purées. Nos résultats ont montré des différences de qualité des fruits et des produits finis entre les deux grandes régions de production françaises de tomates d’industrie en 2015. Le choix du cultivar et des pratiques, comme la densité de plantation ou la durée du cycle de production, étaient responsables de ces différences. En l’absence de déficit hydrique, les différences climatiques (amplitudes thermiques et cumul de précipitations) n’ont pas semblé être un facteur majeur de variation. L’exploration des liens pré-post-récoltes a ensuite confirmé que les critères à la récolte couramment utilisés (rendement et °Brix) renseignaient peu sur l’aptitude à la transformation des tomates. De plus, nous avons montré que diminuer l’irrigation jusqu’à ne remplacer que 60 % de l’évapotranspiration des plantes n’a que très peu affecté le rendement en fruit frais, et a augmenté le rendement en matière sèche jusqu’à +27%, ce qui est positif pour l’usine. L’efficience de l’utilisation de l’eau d’irrigation a ainsi été augmentée d’en moyenne 20% sur tout le cycle. La composition de la matière sèche des fruits à la récolte n’a pas été significativement affectée par le déficit hydrique en 2016. En revanche, lorsque ces mêmes fruits ont été transformés selon des procédés industriels, le déficit hydrique a amélioré la viscosité de la purée sans affecter sa couleur. Il a également limité la perte de viscosité obtenue lorsque le procédé possède une phase de macération à basse température (Cold Break (CB)). Ce résultat a suggéré que la réactivité enzymatique des tissus a été réduite. En revanche, un stress hydrique plus drastique en 2017 a induit des fortes différences de teneur en matière sèche. Comme les purée sont concentrée à la même teneur en SSC, alors les purée WD, où moins d’eau a été éliminée, montre une viscosité plus faible. La maitrise de la matière sèche n’est pas le seul facteur affectant la rhéologie des purées. C’est un phénomène complexe dépendant de plusieurs facteurs. / Tomato is the second most consumed vegetable in the world and most of it is consumed in processed form. The industry tomato is typically a demanding crop in water. Production is mainly in the Mediterranean zone, facing increasingly frequent periods of drought, and constrained, in the context of climate change, to reduce the withdrawal of water resources for its agriculture. Water is a major factor affecting the yield and quality of tomatoes, so there is a direct link between upstream agriculture (production) and industrial downstream (processing). Although works to better understand pre-post-harvest links exists, better adapting production to changing climatic constraints remains a challenge for the industry, and it is in this context that this thesis work is located. In this context, the objective of the thesis was to analyze during the chain of production and processing, the impact of agronomic and technological factors on the quality of tomato purées, and to identify during this chain levers to improve the taste, nutritional and environmental of the finished product. Given this objective, this work was constructed to analyze 1) what are the main agronomic and technological factors responsible for the variability of the quality of fresh and processed fruit within the French production areas of industrial tomatoes; 2) what are the effects of variety, water supply, stage of development and process on the quality of fresh fruits and their suitability for processing; 3) what are the processes responsible for the changes in the rheological properties of the purees. Our results showed differences in the quality of fruit and processed products between the two major French industrial tomato production regions in 2015. The choice of cultivar and practices, such as planting density or production cycle time, were responsible for these differences. In the absence of a water deficit, climatic differences (thermal amplitudes and cumulative precipitation) did not seem to be a major factor of variation. Exploration of pre-post-harvest links then confirmed that the commonly used harvest criteria (yield and °Brix) provided little information on the processing ability of tomatoes. In addition, we have shown that decreasing irrigation to replace only 60% of plant evapotranspiration has had little effect on the yield of fresh fruit, and has increased dry matter yield to + 27%, which is positive for the plant. The efficiency of the use of irrigation water has thus been increased by an average of 20% over the entire cycle. The composition of the dry matter of the fruits at harvest was not significantly affected by the water deficit in 2016. On the other hand, when these same fruits were transformed according to industrial processes, the water deficit improved the viscosity of the purees without affecting its color. It also limited the loss of viscosity obtained when the process has a low temperature maceration phase (Cold Break (CB)). This result suggested that the enzymatic reactivity of the tissues was reduced. On the other hand, more drastic water stress in 2017 led to significant differences in dry matter content. As the purees are concentrated to the same SSC content, then the WD purees, which less water has been removed, shows a lower viscosity. The mastery of the dry matter is not the only factor affecting the rheology of purees. It is a complex phenomenon depending on several factors. Indeed, when the differences in viscosity are induced by the cooking method, it is mainly the viscosity of the serum (liquid part of the mash) that is involved. When the viscosity variations are induced by the use of Variety with a high potential for viscosity (Ketchup tomato), it is the size and shape of the particles and their aggregation potential that are involved.

Salinity is a major concern in agriculture since it adversely affects plant growth, development, and yield. Domestication of crops exerted strong selective pressure and reduced their genetic diversity. Meanwhile, wild species continued to adapt to their environment becoming valuable sources of genetic variation, with the potential for enhancing modern crops performance in today’s changing climate. Some wild species are found in highly saline environments; remarkable examples are the endemic wild tomatoes from the Galapagos Islands, forming the Solanum cheesmaniae and Solanum galapagense species (hereafter termed Galapagos tomatoes). These wild tomatoes adapted to thrive in the coastal regions of the Galapagos Islands. The present work includes a thorough characterization of a collection of 67 accessions of Galapagos tomatoes obtained from the Tomato Genetics Resource Center (TGRC). Genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) was performed to establish the population structure and genetic distance within the germplasm collection. Both species were genetically differentiated, and a substructure was found in S. cheesmaniae dividing the accessions in two groups based on their origin: eastern and western islands. Phenotypic studies were performed at the seedling stage, subjecting seedlings to 200 mM NaCl for 10 days. Various traits were recorded and analysed for their contribution to salinity tolerance, compared to control conditions. Large natural variation was found across the collection in terms of salt stress responses and different possible salt tolerant mechanisms were identified. Six accessions were selected for further work, based on their good performance under salinity. This experiment included scoring several plant growth and yield-related traits, as well as RNA sequencing (RNAseq) at the fruit-ripening stage, under three different NaCl concentrations. Accession LA0421 showed an increased yield of almost 50% in mild salinity (150 mM NaCl) compared to control conditions. The transcriptome data obtained could reveal the genes involved in the salt stress-related yield increase. The knowledge obtained so far will be useful for scientists and breeders to select accessions of interest based on recorded traits. It will allow the use of Galapagos tomatoes as genetic sources for salinity tolerance traits in commercial tomatoes, thereby contributing to feed and nourish the growing human population in the years to come.

Inbred lines for hybrid crop production have been a mainstay of plant breeding. Biotechnological approaches to hasten the process are available including anther culture to halve the genome and protoplast fusion to create hybrids between incompatible partners. We applied these techniques to potato to evaluate their potential for breeding highly heterozygous, cross-pollinating species. Four families of monoploids (2n=1x=12), developed from diploid hybrids with diverse genomic constitutions but heavily favoring Solanum phureja, a primitive cultivated potato, were used in electrofusion experiments to create intermonoploid somatic hybrids (SH). The "monoploid sieve" results in the survival of only those gametes free of lethal and deleterious genes but generates sterile sporophytes, necessitating protoplast fusion for SH development. From six intermonoploid electrofusion combinations, 276 plants were regenerated over 6-9 months. Fusion conditions were optimized. Ploidy was determined by flow-cytometry and SH confirmed by microsatellite analysis. Field evaluations over three years revealed that intermonoploid SH were inferior to cultivars. Dihaploids derived by anther culture of a tetraploid intermonoploid SH were reduced in vigor with an increase in homozygosity, while 2x X 2x sexually derived populations had better yield than the SH, suggesting that producing SH introduced or eliminated factors required for productivity. Molecular analysis of the SH was conducted to examine genomic stability through protoplast isolation and plant regeneration. Sequence specific amplified polymorphism (S-SAP) represents a hybrid system incorporating amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) technology in conjunction with the use of a defined genomic sequence, e.g., retrotransposon display (RD) when the defined sequence is anchored into a consensus sequence of a retrotransposon such as the long terminal repeat (LTR) sequence of Tst1. Parental monoploids, SH and various Solanaceae were evaluated by RD. Fluorescently-labeled retrotransposon-based primers were used in the ALFexpress automated fragment analyzer system. Eleven probes from RD were created for Southern blot analysis and used to verify taxonomic relationships between selected Solanaceae. Blots of intermonoploid somatic hybrids confirmed hybridity and occasional loss of genomic fragments. No activation or replication of retrotransposons was detected. Sequencing of inter-retrotransposon amplified polymorphism (IRAP) and S-SAP fragments revealed that all fragments had the expected Tst1 retroelement and/or the AFLP adaptor sequence. BLAST analysis identified 4 of the 17 fragments sequenced as part of the chloroplast genome, a tobacco anther-specific gene, repetitive DNA, and the phytochrome F gene. / Ph. D.

Among viral diseases affecting cultivated tomato, Tomato yellow leaf curl disease (TYLCD) is one of the most devastating. This disease is caused by a complex of viruses of which Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) is regarded as the most important species. Current control strategies to fight viral diseases in tomato are mainly based on genetic resistance derived from wild relatives. In the present thesis, resistance derived from S. chilense and S. peruvianum has been exploited in breeding for resistance to TYLCD. In a previous study, TYLCV-resistant breeding lines derived from LA1932, LA1960 and LA1971 S. chilense accessions were developed. Therefore, the first objective of this thesis was to study the genetic control of the resistance derived from these accessions. With this aim, response to viral infection was assayed in segregating generations derived from the aforementioned resistant lines. The results obtained were compatible with a monogenic control of resistance. Resistance levels were higher in LA1960- and LA1971-derived F2 generations, as shown by slighter symptoms in the resistant plants and a higher number of asymptomatic plants compared with the results obtained in the LA1932-derived F2 generation. It is noteworthy that the level of resistance present in our materials is comparable to or even higher than the levels found in tomato lines homozygous for Ty-1. The response in plants heterozygous for the resistance gene was comparable to the response in homozygous plants for all three sources employed. This implies that the resistance genes derived from all three sources seem to be almost completely dominant. This effect was stronger for LA1971-derived resistance. The results were similar when comparing viral accumulation, as was expected, since a positive correlation was found in these families between viral accumulation and symptom scores. This has important implications in breeding, since the resistance will be used mostly for hybrid development. Our second objective was to map the loci associated with the major resistance genes identified. A total of 263 markers were screened, 94 of them being polymorphic between both species. Recombinant analysis allowed the resistance loci to be localized on chromosome 6, in a marker interval of 25 cM. This interval includes the Ty-1/Ty-3 region, where two S. chilense-derived TYLCD resistance loci were previously mapped. In order to test if the resistance genes identified in our populations were allelic to Ty-1 and Ty-3, further fine mapping was carried out. A total of 13 additional molecular markers distributed on chromosome 6 allowed 66 recombinants to be identified, and the resistance region to be shortened to a marker interval of approximately 950 kb, which overlaps with the Ty-1/Ty-3 region described previously by other authors. Therefore, the results obtained indicate that closely linked genes or alleles of the same gene govern TYLCV resistance in several S. chilense accessions. The third objective of the present thesis was to start the construction of a set of introgression lines (ILs) derived from Solanum peruvianum accession PI 126944 into the cultivated tomato genetic background. Once this collection of ILs is developed, it will represent a powerful tool for exploiting the resistance to different pathogens found in this particular accession in addition to other possible characters of interest. The starting plant material consisted of several segregating generations that were derived from two interspecific hybrids previously obtained by our group. Many crosses and embryo rescue were required to obtain subsequent generations due to the high sexual incompatibility that exists between tomato and PI 126944. Several mature fruits from the most advanced generations produced a few viable seeds, although embryo rescue was also employed to obtain progeny. As only a few plants were obtained by direct backcrossing, additional crosses were made in order to increase the number of descendants. A high degree of incompatibility was also found in crosses between sib plants. A total of 263 molecular markers were tested in some generations, 105 being polymorphic between tomato and PI 126944. Available generations were genotyped with these polymorphic markers in order to determine which alleles of S. peruvianum were already introgressed. On average, 79, 78 and 84 % of the S. peruvianum genome was represented in the pseudo-F2, pseudo-F4 and pseudo-F5 generations, respectively, for the markers analyzed. A reduction in the S. peruvianum genome was observed in more advanced generations, such as BC1 (56 %), pseudo-F2-BC1 (60 %) and pseudo-F3-BC1 (70 %). A greater reduction was observed in the pseudo-F3-BC2 generation (33 %). As a consequence of the reduction in the S. peruvianum genome, a loss of incompatibility was observed in some cases. The S. peruvianum genome was almost completely represented among the different plants of the most advanced generations. An evaluation for resistance to TYLCD and Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) was carried out in some of the advanced generations, some of which were resistant to one or both viruses. In conclusion, we have conducted a successful and deeper exploitation of two wild species with proved resistance to TYLCD, S. chilense and S. peruvianum, identifying and fine mapping new genes of resistance. / Julián Rodríguez, O. (2014). Exploitation of Solanum chilense and Solanum peruvianum in tomato breeding for resistance to Tomato yellow leaf curl disease [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/36867

Barrantes Santamaría, W. (2014). Desarrollo de una genoteca de líneas de introgresión entre Solanum lycopersicum y Solanum pimpinellifolium utilizando herrramientas genomicas de alto rendimiento y detección de QTLs implicados en calidad de fruto [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/39102

Tesis por compendio / [ES] La mejora de las especies cultivadas es un área dinámica, sujeta a las necesidades y requerimientos de los diferentes cultivos en cada momento y de las exigencias de productores y consumidores. Una limitación en este proceso de mejora es la diversidad genética existente en los cultivos, debido a cuellos de botella poblacionales, que hacen necesario el uso de especies silvestres. El tomate cultivado (Solanum lycopersicum var. lycopersicum, SLL) surgió a partir de Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme (SLC) que a su vez fue pre-domesticada a partir de Solanum pimpinellifolium (SP). Pese al potencial para la mejora de estas especies, su uso está limitado en gran medida por la falta de información de las colecciones mantenidas en los bancos de germoplasma, principalmente en SLC. Para dar solución a este problema, se ha empleado una colección de germoplasma compuesta por 15 accesiones de SLL, procedentes de México; 27 de SP, procedentes de Perú y Ecuador y 121 de SLC, procedentes de Perú, Ecuador, México y Mesoamérica. Esta colección ha sido sometida a una extensa caracterización fenotípica y genética, lo que ha permitido identificar las regiones de genoma asociadas a caracteres fenotípicos mediante estudios de asociación del genoma completo (GWAS). Además, se han creado poblaciones segregantes F2 para cada una de las entradas de la colección a partir de los híbridos obtenidos con tres parentales diferentes, y estos cruces se han puesto a disposición de la comunidad científica. Este recurso permitirá el estudio del control genético de mutantes de interés en mejora. El estudio realizado con los datos morfológicos ha demostrado la presencia de una gradación morfológica continua entre los tres grupos taxonómicos, y ha permitido la identificación de una serie de caracteres que permiten la diferenciación entre grupos y también entre las distintas procedencias geográficas dentro de cada grupo taxonómico. Los diferentes polimorfismos de nucleótido único (SNPs) fueron anotados con base a la predicción de sus efectos en la secuencia codificantes mediante el programa SnpEff y se llevaron a cabo estudios de GWAS. El análisis genético reveló a Perú y Ecuador como las regiones con mayores niveles de diversidad, tanto en la especie SP como en SLC. Se observó una reducción en el número de variantes SNP en SLC México, que concuerda con la hipótesis de que Mesoamérica sea centro de domesticación y difusión del tomate cultivado. Por último, se constató el proceso de domesticación como la causa de la menor diversidad presente en la especie cultivada. Los estudios GWAS permitieron la identificación de correlaciones genotipo-fenotipo, revelando la asociación entre 107 SNPs y ocho caracteres cuantitativos y un total de 30 SNPs asociados a 7 caracteres cualitativos. Una parte de los SNPs detectados fueron localizados cerca de regiones genómicas ya asociadas con genes y QTLs, otra parte se localizaron en regiones con posibles genes candidatos anotados y el resto de SNPs detectados se corresponden a regiones no descritas previamente, lo que abre el camino a estudios para la detección de nuevos genes candidatos. En esta tesis se muestra la utilidad de la colección de familias segregantes mediante su uso en el estudio del control genético de la presencia y alta densidad de tricomas tipo IV en dos fondos genéticos diferentes, SLL x SP y SP x SLC. En ambos fondos se han detectado dos QTLs principales en los cromosomas 9 y 11. Además, se han detectado señales en los cromosomas 2, 5, 6, 7 y 8, en función de la familia segregante estudiada. Las regiones detectadas en los cromosomas 9 y 11 habían sido previamente descritas en otras especies por regular la densidad de este tipo de tricomas o los niveles de acilazúcares. En ambas regiones hay genes anotados que intervienen en el desarrollo de los tricomas o en la formación de acilazúcares, como aciltransferasas, glicosiltransferasas o los factores de transcripción MYB. / [CA] La millora de les espècies cultivades és una àrea dinàmica, subjecta a les necessitats i requeriments dels diferents cultius a cada moment i de les exigències de productors i consumidors. Una limitació en aquest procés de millora és la diversitat genètica existent en els cultius a causa de diversos colls de botella poblacionals durant la seua domesticació. En aquests casos, les espècies silvestres emparentades revisten un especial interés, podent-se utilitzar com a font de al·lels en la millora genètica. Aquesta circumstància es dona en el cas de la tomaca cultivada (Solanum lycopersicum var. lycopersicum, SLL). Aquesta espècie va sorgir a partir de Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme (SLC), que al seu torn va ser pre-domesticada a partir de Solanum pimpinellifolium (SP). Pese al potencial per a la millora d'aquestes espècies, el seu ús està limitat en gran manera per la falta d'informació de les col·leccions mantingudes en els bancs de germoplasma, principalment SLC. Per a aconseguir l'objectiu anteriorment exposat s'ha emprat una col·lecció de germoplasma composta per 15 accessions de SLL, procedents de Mèxic; 27 de SP, procedents del Perú i l'Equador i 121 de SLC, procedents del Perú, l'Equador, Mèxic i Mesoamèrica. Aquesta col·lecció ha sigut sotmesa a una extensa caracterització fenotípica i genètica, la qual cosa ha permés identificar les regions de genoma associades a caràcters fenotípics mitjançant estudis d'associació del genoma complet (GWAS). A més, s'han creat poblacions segregants F2 per a cadascuna de les entrades de la col·lecció creuant-les amb tres parentals diferents, i aquests creus s'han posat a la disposició de la comunitat científica. Aquest recurs permetrà l'estudi del control genètic de mutants d'interés en millora. Aquesta utilitat s'explora en l'últim capítol de la tesi, on s'estudia el control genètic de la densitat de tricomas en una accessió de l'espècie SP, característica d'interés per conferir resistència a artròpodes. L'estudi realitzat amb les dades morfològiques ha demostrat la presència d'una gradació morfològica contínua entre els tres grups taxonòmics, i ha permés la identificació d'una sèrie de caràcters que permeten la diferenciació entre grups i també entre les diferents procedències geogràfiques dins de cada grup taxonòmic. Els diferents polimorfismes de nucleòtid únic (SNPs) van ser anotats en base a la predicció del seu efecte en la sequència codificant mitjançant el programa SnpEff i es van dur a terme estudis de GWAS. L'anàlisi genètica va revelar al Perú i l'Equador com les regions amb majors nivells de diversitat, tant en l'espècie SP com en SLC. Es va observar una reducció en el nombre de variants SNP en SLC Mèxic, que concorda amb la hipòtesi que Mesoamèrica siga centre de domesticació i difusió de la tomaca cultivada. Finalment, es va constatar el procés de domesticació com la causa de la menor diversitat present en l'espècie cultivada. Els estudis GWAS van permetre la identificació de correlacions genotipe-fenotip, revelant l'associació entre 107 SNPs i huit caràcters quantitatius i un total de 30 SNPs associats a 7 caràcters qualitatius. Una part dels SNPs detectats van ser localitzats prop de regions genòmiques associades amb gens i QTLs o en regions amb possibles gens candidats anotats y la resta de SNPs detectats es corresponen amb regions no descrites prèviament el que obri el camí a estudis per a la detecció de nous gens candidats. La utilitat d'aquestes famílies F2 es demostra en l'últim capítol d'aquesta tesi mitjançant l'estudi de la base genètica de la densitat de tricomas tipus IV. S'estudia el control genètic de la presència i alta densitat de tricomas tipus IV en dos fons genètics diferents, SLL x SP i SP x SLC. En tots dos fons s'han detectat dos QTLs principals en els cromosomes 9 i 11. A més, s'han detectat senyals en els cromosomes 2, 5, 6, 7 i 8, en funció de la família segregant estudiada. Les regions detectades en els cromosomes 9 i 11 havien sigut prèviament descrites en altres espècies per regular la densitat d'aquests tricomas o els nivells de acilazúcares. En totes dues regions hi ha gens anotats que intervenen en el desenvolupament dels tricomas o en la formació de acilsucres, com aciltransferases, glicosiltransferases o els factors de transcripció MYB. / [EN] The improvement of cultivated species is a dynamic field, subject to the needs and requirements of the different crops at different moments as well as to the demands of producers and consumers. A limitation in this improvement process is the amount of genetic diversity available for breeding purposes because of population bottlenecks during their domestication. This circumstance occurs in the case of cultivated tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum var. lycopersicum, SLL) which evolved from Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme (SLC), which was pre-domesticated from Solanum pimpinellifolium (SP). Despite these species have been used for tomato breeding, their use is still limited due to the lack of detailed information about the collections that are kept in genebanks. With the aim of solve this problem, a germplasm collection has undergone an extensive morphological and genetic characterization. This collection comprises a wide range of geographical origins: includes 15 SLL accessions from Mexico; 27 SP accession from Peru and Ecuador and 121 SLC accessions from Peru, Ecuador, Mesoamerica, and Mexico. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) were performed to detect genomic candidate regions associated with each agronomic trait. Furthermore, a collection of segregating populations has been developed by crossing the whole collection with a representative accession for each of the three species (SLL, SLC and SP). These populations are available to the scientific community and could be very useful to speed up the validation of candidate genes or to study the genetic control of mutants. This last approach will be explored in the last chapter of this thesis, where the genetic control of density of type IV trichomes is studied. The study carried out with morphological data has demonstrated the presence of a phenotypic variation between our three species. The analysis has allowed the identification of characters which differentiate between species and between different geographical origin within each species. The identified SNPs were annotated, and their putative impacts were predicted by using SnpEff. The lowest number of variants was detected in SLL grups and the highest number of variants was detected in SP. SLC had a variation between SLL and SP, with lower levels in SLC Mexico. This fact agrees with the hypothesis for the domestication and diffusion of cultivated tomato in Mesoamerica. Additionally, GWAS analysis was carried out with this genetic data and revealed significant associations between 107 SNPs and 8 quantitative traits and a total of 30 SNPs associated with 7 qualitative traits. This analysis has allowed the identification of known genomic regions such as the associations between fruit weight and fw2.2 or fw9.2. However, regions with possible novel genes have also been detected such as the case of yellow fruit. These results reinforce the potential of our collection for breeding programmes. The usefulness of F2 populations have been used to determine the genetic control of density of type IV trichomes. During the characterization of this collection, a SP accession (BGV016047) with a high density of type IV trichomes was detected. These trichomes have been described to accumulate different types of chemical substances related to pest resistance. This thesis shows that this character is influenced by environmental factors such as plant and leave age. On the other hand, the genetic control of this character has been studied in two different genetic backgrounds, SLL x SP and SP x SLC. Two main QTLs have been detected in both families, on chromosome 9 and 11. In addition, the different F2 populations have revealed that this character could be under the control of other QTLs on chromosomes 2, 5, 6, 7 and 8. / This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of USA Varitome project (NSF IOS 1564366). / Mata Nicolás, E. (2021). Utilización de una colección de germoplasma de tomate para la identificación de genes de interés [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/172639 / Compendio

A hybrid between a highly regenerative diploid clone (BARD 1-3) of Solanum phureja and haploid inducer IVP 101 was transformed with Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain 4404 containing plasmid pHB2892 with genes for green florescent protein (GFP) and kanamycin resistance. Hemizygous primary transformants (To) were produced from three leaf discs: 17 diploid plants from one leaf disc, three and nine tetraploids from the other two leaf discs. GFP expression was observed qualitatively under fluorescence microscopes and quantitatively with a GFP meter. Anther culture of tetraploids produced 29 plants, none with high levels of GFP. Segregation ratios for tetraploid T1 seedlings fit models for single duplex insertions (35 transgenic: 1 non) or double simplex insertions (15 transgenic: 1 non). Diploid T1 seedlings segregated for deleterious traits: dwarfed size and curled leaves, as well as the GFP transgene. Similar segregation patterns in diploid families implied that all diploids may have been from the same transformation event. The cumulative segregation showed the dwarfed and curled plants fit a single recessive gene ratio (3 normal: 1 mutant), and GFP fit a double-copy insertion ratio (15 transgenic: 1 non). There was substantial GFP silencing evidenced by the loss of expression in plants that had originally been selected for high GFP. However, six selections were found to be free of deleterious traits, consistently high expressers of GFP, and producers of stainable pollen with less 2n than IVP 101. / Master of Science

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