The ability to set fruit independently of fertilization is an advantageous agronomic traits. Following the fact that in tomato parthenocarpy can be induced by auxin application, we tested the possibility to induce genetically engineered parthenocarpy by expressing the A. Rhizogenes derived rolB gene under the ovary and the young fruit specific promoter TPRP-F1. The rolB gene was tested since it was reported to mimic some of the known auxin effects in transgenic plants. Several of the TPRP-F1: rolB transgenic plants behaved as facultative parthenocarpic
setting both seeded and seedless fruits, and one plant was obligate
setting seedless fruits only. In both the facultative and the obligate phenotypes, the rolB induced parthenocarpy yielded seedless fruits full of jelly and their weight was similar to that of the control fruits.

Fruit set; L. esculentum; RolB; Tomato