Relation between Genes and Carotenoids of the Tomato

Abstract

Ripe tomatoes of varying genetic constitution were peeled and the skin and flesh extracted. Two pairs of genes, R and r, causing red or yellow flesh color in tomatoes, and Y and y, producing yellow or colorless skin, are unrelated, both genetically and in their chemical effect: R affects only the red and yellow plastid pigments[long dash]chiefly lycopene, to a much less extent carotenes and xanthophylls; Y has no influence on these plastid pigments, but causes a 10-fold increase in an alkali-soluble yellow pigment which generally occurs in tomatoes. This latter effect is restricted to the epidermis.