Selection and Breeding for High β-Carotene Content (Provitamin A) in Tomato

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Abstract
A [beta]-carotene conc. of 89 [gamma]/gm. has been found in selected progeny of the cross Lycopersicon esculentum var. Baltimore X F1 (var. Rutgers X L. hirsutum P.I. 126445). Large-fruited, high [beta]-carotene selections have been obtained by further backcrossing of these selections to commercial parents. The frequency with which these high [beta]-carotene types occur suggests that the number of major factors necessary for high [beta]-carotene formation, in addition to those present in commercial varieties, is small. [beta]-carotene appears to be produced at the expense of lycopene, since the total carotenoid conc. in the high [beta]-carotene selection is not increased over that of the red-fruited low [beta]-carotene parent. The high [beta]-carotene selections are equivalent in provitamin A to present recommended best sources.

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