Israeli researchers have developed a new breed of tomatoes that require less water and can produce high yields even in extreme drought conditions.
The study was led by doctoral student Shai Torgeman and Prof. Dani Zamir from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The findings were published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) journal.
The researchers identified the interactions between two regions of the tomato genome that led to a 20-50% increase in overall tomato yield under both irrigated and drought conditions.
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The team crossbred two tomato species – a wild tomato from the deserts of western Peru and the cultivated tomato – to identify which regions of the genome affect critical agricultural traits such as yield. The combination of these two genome regions contributed significantly to fertility, even in dry conditions.
The new population’s unique structure enables precise mapping of the tomato genes, with the potential for extensive application in other plants to increase productivity. The researchers said the new tomato varieties could provide alternative options for farmers experiencing severe water shortages worldwide.
“Global warming does not only cause higher temperatures but also extreme weather like sudden torrential downpours or drought, so we need plants that have improved capabilities,” said Torgeman. The research was conducted as part of the scientific cooperation with the European Union in the ‘Horizon 2020’ program. Zamir’s lab conducted DNA sequencing and extensive data analysis of 1,400 plants over the past four years, seeking to commercialize these new tomato varieties.
