Tomatoes, Roots, and Mycorrhizae

Roots and arbuscular mycorrhizae in tomato, and their acquisition of nutrients, have been a long-term research topic in our lab group. We are studying several genetic and ecological factors that control root function, and usually work in field soils to provide a context that is useful for management.

Several recent projects have addressed soil-root-microbe interactions and arbuscular mycorrhizae of tomato. We often use two genotypes of tomato plants: a mycorrhiza defective tomato mutant (rmc) or its mycorrhizal wildtype progenitor Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv. 76R (76R MYC+ hereafter).

Soil water extraction and water use efficiency is being studied in a group of tomato cultivars from the past 80 years, along with how other traits have changed under breeding for California's processing tomato industry.

A few of our past and current projects include:

Mycorrhizae and microbial communities in organic production
Roots, mycorrhizae, and soil respiration
Mycorrhizae and elevated CO2
Gene expression in tomato in response to nitrogen pulses
Trait evolution of processing tomato
Deficit irrigation for water use efficiency without yield loss