Genomic characterization of a wild-like tomato accession from Arizona

Tomato domestication history has been revealed to be a highly complex story. A major contributor to this complexity is an evolutionary intermediate group (Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme (Alef.) Voss; SLC) between the cultivated tomato (Solanum lycopersicum var. lycopersicum L.; SLL) and its wild relative (Solanum pimpinellifolium L.; SP). SLC includes accessions with a broad spectrum of genomic and phenotypic characteristics. Some of the SLC accessions were previously hypothesized to be spreading northward from South America into Mesoamerica and that migration probably entailed reversal to wild-like phenotypes such as smaller fruits. Prior to this study, the northernmost confirmed extension of the SLC was limited to northern Mexico. In this study, we employed genomic methods to investigate the origin of a wild-like tomato found in a garden in Scottsdale Arizona, USA. The so-called “Arizona tomato” featured a vigorous growth habit and carried small fruits weighing 2-3 grams. Our p...