Molecular regulation of tomato male reproductive development

Abstract

The reproductive success of flowering plants, which directly affects crop yield, is sensitive to environmental changes. A thorough understanding of how crop reproductive development adapts to climate changes is vital for ensuring global food security. In addition to being a high-value vegetable crop, tomato is also a model plant used for research on plant reproductive development. Tomato crops are cultivated under highly diverse climatic conditions worldwide. Targeted crosses of hybrid varieties have resulted in increased yields and abiotic stress resistance; however, tomato reproduction, especially male reproductive development, is sensitive to temperature fluctuations, which can lead to aborted male gametophytes, with detrimental effects on fruit set. We herein review the cytological features as well as genetic and molecular pathways influencing tomato male reproductive organ development and responses to abiotic stress. We also compare the shared features among the associated regulatory mechanisms of tomato and other plants. Collectively, this review highlights the opportunities and challenges related to characterizing and exploiting genic male sterility in tomato hybrid breeding programs.