Mapping and introgression of a quantitative trait loci (QTL) for reduced stem scar size from Lycopersicon pimpinellifolium Doganlar, S . and Tanksley, S . D . Stem scar size, attachment site of fruit to the stem, is an important characteristic for both processing - and fresh market - type tomatoes .   In processing - type varieties, a small stem scar size is desirable because fruit with small stem scars usually release better during harvest and peel more easily with less waste during processing .   In addition, large stem scars may penetrate into the fruit and be visible as a "yellow eye" if the processed peeled fruit is whole or diced .   However, varieties with very small stem scars are undesirable because the fruit may fall off the plant prematurely during mechanical harvesting .   For fresh market tomatoes, stem scar size is mainly an appearance characteristic .   When a line having large stem scars is crossed with a line with small stem scars, F1 hybrids resemble the parent with small stem scars on the fruits .   Therefore, it has been concluded that enlarged stem scars appeared to be controlled by one or more recessive genes . In this study, a QTL controlling stem scar size was identified in a population of 216 BC2F4 lines derived from a cross between L . esculentum cv . M82 x L . pimpinellifolium (LA1589) .   Based on phenotypic and molecular marker analysis, the QTL was mapped to the bottom of chromosome 8 between CT265 and CT68 .   As further confirmation, 59 BC2F5 lines derived from BC2 plants that were heterozygous for these 2 markers were selected and grown in the greenhouse .   Based on phenotypic and genotypic (CT265 and CT68) analysis of these 59 plants, CT265 showed a strong association (P<0 . 0001) with stem scar size .   No significant association was seen for fruit weight .   Therefore, CT265 can be used for marker assisted selection for reduced stem scars without sacrificing fruit weight .

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