Dilip R. Panthee

Department of Horticulture Science, North Carolina State University, USA
 

Abstract
 
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is considered as the model plant for genetic analysis associated with root, shoot and fruit development. This is also the second most economically important crop after potato as shown by the estimated global production of about 164 million mt contributing $2.36B to the world economy. The USA ranks second in the world production after China. Efforts to improve the fresh market tomato for quality and disease resistance is continued to pyramid the resistance genes and add quality traits by using conventional and molecular breeding approach. From replicated trials conducted at Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center, Mills River, NC over the years, several hybrids and breeding lines have been released and there are more in the pipeline. Important genes conferring resistance to Fusarium wilt race 3 (I-3), late blight (Ph-2 and Ph-3) verticillium wilt (Ve), tomato spotted wilt virus (Sw-5), and root knot nematode (Mi) are introgressed into the breeding lines improving the disease resistance. In this presentation, some of the breeding efforts combining this disease resistance and fruit quality related traits will be presented. Seed production approach after the development and release of hybrid variety is discussed.