Tomato cultivation is a major economic activity in many countries of the world. Thus, strategic efforts should be directed towards mitigating production constraints that limit overall yields and quality. In addressing some of these constraints, researchers are developing and using varieties of modern and innovative techniques to improve local tomato germplasm, make rapid genetic gains, and breed for varieties with resistance to biotic and abiotic stress. This book focuses on recent advances in genomics and genetic improvement of the tomato crop, and production systems, and center around the following themes: (i) disease and pest management in tomato production, and (ii) breeding tools and improvement of the tomato.

Tomato cultivation is a major economic activity in many countries of the world. Thus, strategic efforts should be directed towards mitigating production constraints that limit overall yields and quality. In addressing some of these constraints, researchers are developing and using varieties of modern and innovative techniques to improve local tomato germplasm, make rapid genetic gains, and breed for varieties with resistance to biotic and abiotic stress. This book focuses on recent advances in genomics and genetic improvement of the tomato crop, and production systems, and center around the following themes: (i) disease and pest management in tomato production, and (ii) breeding tools and improvement of the tomato.

This volume covers the advances in the study of tomato diversity and taxonomy. It examines the mapping of simple and complex traits, classical genetics and breeding, association studies, molecular breeding, positional cloning, and structural and comparative genomics. The contributors also discuss transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and bioinformatics. The information in this book will be useful to researchers working on other Solanaceaous crops as well as those interested in using the tomato as a model crop species.

Potato is the most significant non-cereal crop. Much attention has been paid to this commercially important crop. The aim of this volume is to capture the recent advances made in improving potatoes using traditional breeding methods as well as genetic engineering technology. The book provides a critical appraisal of the state-of-the-art finding on

This book describes the strategy used for sequencing, assembling and annotating the tomato genome and presents the main characteristics of this sequence with a special focus on repeated sequences and the ancestral polyploidy events. It also includes the chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes. Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is a major crop plant as well as a model for fruit development, and the availability of the genome sequence has completely changed the paradigm of the species’ genetics and genomics. The book describes the numerous genetic and genomic resources available, the identified genes and quantitative trait locus (QTL) identified, as well as the strong synteny across Solanaceae species. Lastly, it discusses the consequences of the availability of a high-quality genome sequence of the cultivated species for the research community. It is a valuable resource for students and researchers interested in the genetics and genomics of tomato and Solanaceae.

Solanum lycopersicum is the scientific name for cultivated tomatoes. Tomatoes are produced and consumed worldwide. Many scientists are investigating such aspects as production, post-harvest, nutritional components, and health benefits of tomatoes. Moreover, Solanum lycopersicum is one of the model plants in recent molecular biology as Arabidopsis. This book consists of recent research topics written by tomato experts in a wide range of scientific fields. In tomato production, improvements of yield and efficiency have been investigated. Dry matter production influences these yields and efficiencies of tomato production. Higashide reviewed factors such as photosynthesis, light interception by plants, and environmental conditions that pertain to dry matter production. Additionally, to improve crop production in greenhouses, Li and Yang reported that the diffusion of light has advantages such as light distribution, less photoinhibition, and lower leaf temperature. Recent molecular biology has clarified genetic and metabolic aspects on tomato plants. Matsuo and Imanishi described recently advanced plant hormone research, especially focused on the mechanism of the tomato fruit set and development. Molecular biological findings on tomato plants were directly related to the breeding and production innovations of tomatoes. Furthermore, Ohyama and Hayashi reviewed DNA markers, quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping for breeding tomatoes. Higashide reviewed an increase of yield and quality in Dutch and Japanese cultivars, respectively, and the yield improvement by using Japanese cultivars. Nakano described an outline and scope of nutrient management on the advanced protection and cultivation of tomatoes. Kinoshita and Masuda introduced their new hydroponics system using root-proof capillary wicks. Pinheiro et al. reviewed factors during postharvest life that influenced the physical-chemical qualities and nutritional composition of tomato fruits. Domínguez et al. explained roles of flavonoids in the cuticle of tomato fruits. And finally, Ando reviewed the taste compounds of tomatoes, and reported on the analysis of major taste compounds in Dutch and Japanese cultivars using capillary electrophoresis, as well as the accumulation of umami-enhanser guanylic acid by cooking tomatoes.

This book examines the development of innovative modern methodologies towards augmenting conventional plant breeding, in individual crops, for the production of new crop varieties under the increasingly limiting environmental and cultivation factors to achieve sustainable agricultural production, enhanced food security, in addition to providing raw materials for innovative industrial products and pharmaceuticals. This Volume 9, subtitled Vegetable Crops: Fruits and Young Shoots, consists of 12 chapters focusing on advances in breeding strategies using both traditional and modern approaches for the improvement of individual vegetable crops. Chapters are arranged in 2 parts according to the edible vegetable parts. Part I: Fruits - Bell Pepper (Capsicum annuum L. var. grossum Sendt.), Chili pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.), Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.), Bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl.), Eggplant (Solanum spp.), Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.), Plantain (Musa paradisiaca L.), Sweet gourd (Cucurbita moschata Duch. ex Poir.), Melon (Cucumis melo L. Groups Dudaim and Flexuosus), Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) and Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) and Part II: Young shoots - Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.). The chapters were contributed by 43 internationally reputable scientists from 11 countries. Each chapter comprehensively reviews the modern literature on the subject and reflects the authors own experience.