Altered gibberellin and auxin levels in the ovaries in the manifestation of genetic parthenocarpy in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)

Precocious ovary development and altered gibberellin (GA) and auxin levels in the ovary of the pat-2 gene-induced facultative parthenocarpic line of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Oregon Pride was studied. Unpollinated 'Oregon Pride' ovaries showed marked development with 2.78-fold higher GA content at anthesis and 10.48-fold higher auxin content at 2-3 days before anthesis stage, than the ovaries of the non-parthenocarpic line Patharkuchi at the corresponding stages of the flower which might have triggered the precocious onset of cell division and elongation in the pericarp. Very low selfed and crossed seeds in the fruits of Oregon Pride indicated that marked higher GA and auxin concentration in the ovary leading to anticipated ovary growth and parthenocarpy might have resulted in impaired fertilization by either enhancing ovule abortion or reducing the pollen tube growth.