| Summary: | Auxin response factors (ARFs) are pivotal transcription factors involved in many aspects of auxin-dependent developmental processes. While functions of ARFs have been extensively studied in Arabidopsis, their distinct role in cucumber remains unclear. In this study, a cucumber auxin response factor homolog, <i>CsARF10a</i>, was cloned and overexpressed in tomato plants. RT-qPCR analysis indicated that the expression abundance of <i>CsARF10a</i> was significantly decreased in cucumber leaves and female flowers, and the expression level of <i>CsARF10a</i> was relatively low in pollinated fruits and hormone-treated fruits compared with that in unpollinated fruits. Moreover, the overexpression of <i>CsARF10a</i> in tomato resulted in multiple phenotypic changes, including a wider leaf blade, delayed fruit ripening, and parthenocarpic fruit set in <i>CsARF10a</i>-OE lines. Taken together, our research shed light on the regulatory importance of <i>CsARF10a</i> in regulating various phenotype alterations and laid a solid foundation for further functional studies.
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