Solanum lycopersicum, a Model Plant for the Studies in Developmental Biology, Stress Biology and Food Science

Abstract

Fruits, vegetables and other plant-derived foods contribute important ingredients for human diets, and are thus favored by consumers worldwide. Among these horticultural crops, tomato belongs to the Solanaceae family, ranks only secondary to potato (S. tuberosum L.) in yields and is widely cultivated for fresh fruit and processed foods owing to its abundant nutritional constituents (including vitamins, dietary fibers, antioxidants and pigments). Aside from its important economic and nutritional values, tomato is also well received as a model species for the studies on many fundamental biological events, including regulations on flowering, shoot apical meristem maintenance, fruit ripening, as well as responses to abiotic and biotic stresses (such as light, salinity, temperature and various pathogens). Moreover, tomato also provides abundant health-promoting secondary metabolites (flavonoids, phenolics, alkaloids, etc.), making it an excellent source and experimental system for investigating nutrient biosynthesis and availability in food science. Here, we summarize some latest results on these aspects, which may provide some references for further investigations on developmental biology, stress signaling and food science.

Plant-on-a-chip: continuous, soilless electrochemical monitoring of salt uptake and tolerance among different genotypes of tomato

“…Low light levels are associated with higher risk of pathogenic infection, and the color and intensity of light can lead to accumulation of specific metabolites. 13 Steroidal glucoalkaloids, which are toxic to humans, were found to have greater accumulation under red, blue and fluorescent light sources, although the underlying mechanisms are unclear. 24 High intensity light has been found to induce nonuniform pigmentation patterns of anthocyanins (pigments that can aid with protection from UV and high intensity light), and low intensity light did not activate genes for anthocyanin biosynthesis at all.…”

“…S. lycopersicum is also closely related to other members of the Solanaceae family, which includes potato, eggplant, tobacco, and is studied for its response to biotic (pathogenic) and abiotic (such as light, salinity and temperature) stresses. 12,13 Beyond being an essential part of photosynthesis, light is known to affect many plant processes, including growth, nutrient uptake and salt tolerance. 14,15 Currently, there are no simple ways of measuring or comparing salt tolerance or sensitivity between plants, and instead a holistic approach must be taken.…”

Plant-on-a-chip: continuous, soilless electrochemical monitoring of salt uptake and tolerance among different genotypes of tomato

“…S. lycopersicum is also closely related to other members of the Solanaceae family, which includes potato, eggplant, tobacco, and is studied for its response to biotic (pathogenic) and abiotic (such as light, salinity and temperature) stresses. 15,16 Beyond being an essential part of photosynthesis, light is known to affect many plant processes, including growth, nutrient uptake and salt tolerance. 17,18 Currently, there are no simple ways of measuring or comparing salt tolerance or sensitivity between plants, and instead a holistic approach must be taken.…”

Genome-wide characterization and expression profiling of E2F/DP gene family members in response to abiotic stress in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

“…Tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum ) is a model vegetable crop cultivated worldwide, and it stands in the fourth position among the leading vegetables in terms of production [ 21 ]. Tomato is grown on an area of 5.06 million hectares worldwide with an annual production of 182.05 million tons [ 22 ].…”