Uluru Ochre - BBgfgf or ttgfgf or ?

[mwamsley]

Hello-

I'm trying to understand the genetics behind some unusual phenotypes.

This post seems to describe the dirty orange appearance of Uluru Ochre:

[Characteristics of non-allelic interaction of genes gf and B in tomato].
[Article in Russian]
Kuzemenskiĭ AV.
Abstract

Results of investigation on non-allelic interaction of mutant genes gf and B in tomato are represented. It was revealed that gf gene inhibits beta-carotene synthesis owing to incomplete transformation of chlorophyll. In a double BBgfgf homozygote the joint discrete manifestation of effects of two genes takes place resulting in a new phenotype--dirty-orange colour of a fruit.

The orange coloration would appear to come from Orange Heirloom, one of its parents. Orange Heirloom is described as:

90 days, indeterminate — A rare, Sherman family heirloom from the mountains of North Carolina. The deep orange, beefsteak-type fruits are large (twelve to sixteen ounces) and have a great flavor. A very nice slicing tomato.

It should be note that although it had a maturity date of 90 to 95 days here in Oregon, in North Carolina it is closer to 80 days.

Could Uluru Ochre be beta orange? Were the F1s of the Rosy family orangish*? Does the tangerine gene interact with gf in a similar fashion?

Mark
Seattle, WA

* edit: No, the F1 fruits came out red, so this would appear to be tangerine:
Rosy F1 (Rosella Purple F4 X Orange Heirloom)

[nctomatoman]

In very simplistic terms, Uluru Ochre arose as one of the outcomes when an orange was crossed with a black pink - Cherokee Purple- so in a way, Uluru is a "black orange" in that it has the orange flesh, but also the chlorophyll retention aspect of the blacks such as Cherokee Purple.

It sure is a fine tasting tomato...and was quite a discovery for our project (the color - well done, Patrina!)