Journal of Natural Science Research and Review (JNSRR)

Leveraging Wild Tomato Relatives for Durable Disease Resistance: Advances, Challenges, and Genomic Prospects

Jessica, Ampah-Korsah, Mensah, Funchious Paul, Godwin, Mensah, Liberty, Lugu, Matilda, Botah, Appiah, Brobbey Hannah, Osei, Agyapong Georgia, Emmanuel, Tetteh

1 December 2025 · Vol. 1, Issue 6, pp. 131-147

DOI: 10.65150/EP-jnsrr/V1E6/2025-01

Abstract

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is a globally important horticultural crop facing escalating disease pressures from fungal, bacterial, and viral pathogens under climate change. Wild Solanum species harbor genetic diversity for disease resistance lost during domestication and represent critical resources for sustainable breeding. This review synthesizes 2014–2025 literature on utilizing wild tomato relatives for disease resistance, examining molecular mechanisms, breeding strategies, genomic advances, and outstanding challenges. Wild relatives, including S. pimpinellifolium, S. habrochaites, S. pennellii, S. peruvianum, and S. chilense provide both qualitative resistance genes (R-genes) and quantitative trait loci (QTLs) against major pathogens. Successful examples include Ty-1/Ty-3 for TYLCV resistance, Mi-1 for nematode resistance, and Cf genes for leaf mold. Marker-assisted selection, genome sequencing, and gene pyramiding have accelerated introgression, though challenges persist including linkage drag, reproductive barriers, and incomplete functional characterization. Emerging genomic tools pangenomics, genomic selection, and CRISPR—promise to enhance precision and efficiency. Lesser-known wild species remain under-characterized genomically; multi-pathogen screening and collaborative pre-breeding networks are insufficient; integration of speed breeding with genomics-assisted introgression requires expansion. Durable, broad-spectrum resistance requires integrating wild genetic diversity through marker-assisted pyramiding, pangenomic resource development, multi-environment validation, and participatory breeding. A coordinated roadmap combining conservation, genomics, and applied breeding will enable climate-resilient tomato production.

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Jessica, Ampah-Korsah, Mensah, Funchious Paul, Godwin, Mensah, Liberty, Lugu, Matilda, Botah, Appiah, Brobbey Hannah, Osei, Agyapong Georgia, Emmanuel, & Tetteh (2025). Leveraging Wild Tomato Relatives for Durable Disease Resistance: Advances, Challenges, and Genomic Prospects. Journal of Natural Science Research and Review, 1(6), 131-147. https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-jnsrr/V1E6/2025-01

@article{Jessica2025,
  title   = {Leveraging Wild Tomato Relatives for Durable Disease Resistance: Advances, Challenges, and Genomic Prospects},
  author  = {Jessica and Ampah-Korsah and Mensah and Funchious Paul and Godwin and Mensah and Liberty and Lugu and Matilda and Botah and Appiah and Brobbey Hannah and Osei and Agyapong Georgia and Emmanuel and Tetteh},
  journal = {Journal of Natural Science Research and Review},
  year    = {2025},
  volume  = {1},
  number  = {6},
  pages   = {131-147},
  doi     = {10.65150/EP-jnsrr/V1E6/2025-01},
  url     = {https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-jnsrr/V1E6/2025-01}
}

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