Tomato Molecular Markers

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is one of the most popular vegetable grown in many regions of the world. Due to its high taste quality and nutritional value increase interest in the cultivation of this species and its consumption. Using the latest achievements in fields of genetics, molecular biology and biotechnology, breeders can create new varieties with improved useful traits. Introduction of DNA markers, especially those based on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has led to breakthrough in the plants genetic research, including tomato. They are successfully used for plant genomes mapping, phylogenetics studies, selection of parental forms in plant breeding, and above all to identify the genes of important traits. For tomato have been identified and mapped 9309 molecular markers. High-density genetic maps development gives an opportunity to use them in genetic research and breeding programs. Identification of DNA markers closely linked to studied gene can significantly facilitate the identification of desirable traits in material breeding, or accelerate the plants selection for elimination of genotypes with undesirable genes. Material breeding selection using molecular markers, defined as MAS (marker-assisted-selection) is increasingly being used in tomato breeding programs, contributing to facilitated identification of genes or QTL and their transfer into the cultivated species from wild form.