Molecular factors affecting tomato fruit size

Abstract

As the tomato fruit grows, it goes through different developmental stages until it acquires its full size. This size is achieved with the completion οf the Μature Green stage of tomato development, after which the fruit enters the Turning stage, signifying the passage from growth to ripening, where it gradually loses its green color in favor of red and begins to soften. Until it reaches the Mature Green, the tomato goes through a series of cell divisions and expansions. Several vital factors control and affect the final size of the tomato. Those factors include genes controlling the cells' size and structure, the meristematic tissue, growth hormones essential for the initiation of the fruit, the compartmentalization of the fruit, as well as genes respοnsible fοr the structure οf the cell wall. In this review, we present critical genetic and hormonal factors that influence the final size of a fruit. Tomato is a model οrganism for elucidating fleshy fruit growth and development. In this review we emphasize on factors affecting the fruit's final size up tο the completion οf the Mature Green growth phase, where the fruits reach their prime size.