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expression of the gene specifically in the ovules and placenta. A previous green-
house trial for winter production of genetically engineered (GM) partheno-
carpic eggplants demonstrated a significant increase (an average of 33%
increase) in fruit production concomitant with a reduction in cultivation
costs.
Results
GM parthenocarpic eggplants have been evaluated in three field trials. Two
greenhouse spring trials have shown that these plants outyielded the corre-
sponding untransformed genotypes, while a summer trial has shown that im-
proved fruit productivity in GM eggplants can also be achieved in open field
cultivation. Since the fruits were always seedless, the quality of GM eggplant
fruits was improved as well. RT-PCR analysis demonstrated that the DefH9-
iaaM gene is expressed during late stages of fruit development.
Conclusions
The DefH9-iaaM parthenocarpic gene is a biotechnological tool that enhanc-
es the agronomic value of all eggplant genotypes tested. The main advan-
tages of DefH9-iaaM eggplants are: i) improved fruit productivity (at least
30-35%) under both greenhouse and open field cultivation; ii) production
of good quality (marketable) fruits during different types of cultivation; iii)
seedless fruit with improved quality. Such advantages have been achieved
without the use of either male or female sterility genes.
background
Fruit-set and growth of several horticultural plants are negatively affected by ad-
verse environmental conditions. In general, sub and/or supra-optimal tempera-
tures negatively affect reproductive processes and therefore curtail fruit production
[1,2]. Under greenhouse cultivation, low temperature, insufficient light intensity,
and/or high humidity drastically reduce fruit productivity and quality in eggplant
and other species. Moreover, environmental conditions often met in open field
cultivation such as drought and high temperatures have a negative effect on fruit
productivity and quality in eggplant and other species (e.g. tomato).
Parthenocarpic fruit development (i.e. fruit-set and growth without fertil-
ization) can significantly aid in the resolution of the aforementioned problems.
Parthenocarpy can be triggered by exogenous factors, such as plant growth regu-
lators, or it can be achieved by genetic factors. Genes causing parthenocarpic de-
velopment have been identified in several plant species [3-5], and parthenocarpic
eggplant varieties (e.g. Talina, Galine) have been introduced in the production
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