Leveraging Wild Tomato Relatives for Durable Disease Resistance: Advances, Challenges, and Genomic Prospects

Authors

  • Ampah-Korsah Jessica Department of Agrobiotechnology, Agricultural-Technological Institute, RUDN University,117198 Moscow, Russia & School of Agriculture, University of Cape Coast, University Post Office, Ghana. Author
  • Funchious Paul Mensah Department of Agrobiotechnology, Agricultural-Technological Institute, RUDN University,117198 Moscow, Russia Author
  • Mensah Godwin Department of Agrobiotechnology, Agricultural-Technological Institute, RUDN University,117198 Moscow, Russia Author
  • Lugu Liberty Department of Agrobiotechnology, Agricultural-Technological Institute, RUDN University,117198 Moscow, Russia Author
  • Botah Matilda Department of Agrobiotechnology, Agricultural-Technological Institute, RUDN University,117198 Moscow, Russia Author
  • Brobbey Hannah Appiah Department of Agrobiotechnology, Agricultural-Technological Institute, RUDN University,117198 Moscow, Russia Author
  • Agyapong Georgia Osei Department of Agrobiotechnology, Agricultural-Technological Institute, RUDN University,117198 Moscow, Russia Author
  • Tetteh Emmanuel Department of Agrobiotechnology, Agricultural-Technological Institute, RUDN University,117198 Moscow, Russia Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-jnsrr/V1E6/2025-01

Keywords:

Wild tomato relatives, disease resistance, R-genes, introgression breeding, genomic selection, CRISPR

Abstract

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is a globally important horticultural crop facing escalating disease pressures from fungal, bacterial, and viral pathogens under climate change. Wild Solanum species harbor genetic diversity for disease resistance lost during domestication and represent critical resources for sustainable breeding. This review synthesizes 2014–2025 literature on utilizing wild tomato relatives for disease resistance, examining molecular mechanisms, breeding strategies, genomic advances, and outstanding challenges. Wild relatives, including S. pimpinellifolium, S. habrochaites, S. pennellii, S. peruvianum, and S. chilense provide both qualitative resistance genes (R-genes) and quantitative trait loci (QTLs) against major pathogens. Successful examples include Ty-1/Ty-3 for TYLCV resistance, Mi-1 for nematode resistance, and Cf genes for leaf mold. Marker-assisted selection, genome sequencing, and gene pyramiding have accelerated introgression, though challenges persist including linkage drag, reproductive barriers, and incomplete functional characterization. Emerging genomic tools pangenomics, genomic selection, and CRISPR—promise to enhance precision and efficiency. Lesser-known wild species remain under-characterized genomically; multi-pathogen screening and collaborative pre-breeding networks are insufficient; integration of speed breeding with genomics-assisted introgression requires expansion. Durable, broad-spectrum resistance requires integrating wild genetic diversity through marker-assisted pyramiding, pangenomic resource development, multi-environment validation, and participatory breeding. A coordinated roadmap combining conservation, genomics, and applied breeding will enable climate-resilient tomato production.

References

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Published

2025-12-01

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 06 (2025): Volume 01, Issue 06 December 2025

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Articles

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Copyright (c) 2025 Ampah-Korsah Jessica, Funchious Paul Mensah, Mensah Godwin, Lugu Liberty, Botah Matilda, Brobbey Hannah Appiah, Osei Georgia, Tetteh Emmanuel (Author)

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Jessica, A.-K., Mensah, F. P., Godwin, M., Liberty, L., Matilda, B., Appiah, B. H., Osei, A. G., & Emmanuel, T. (2025). Leveraging Wild Tomato Relatives for Durable Disease Resistance: Advances, Challenges, and Genomic Prospects. Journal of Natural Science Research and Review, 1(06), 131-147. https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-jnsrr/V1E6/2025-01

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