Genome Discovery Could Result In Tastier Tomatoes
After nine years of research, scientists have finally figured out the genome sequencing of tomatoes, and the discovery will likely lead to tastier tomatoes a mere five years down the road.
Dr. Jim Giovannoni, who was one of the 300 plant geneticists from 14 countries who worked on the project, says cracking the tomato DNA code will enable plant breeders to grow tomatoes any way they please. The authors also claim the new DNA information could reduce the need for pesticides.
The reason why they couldn't do this before is that tampering with one characteristic usually affects another. For example, to make today's tomatoes last longer, they would have to be bred to ripen extra slowly via the introduction of non-ripening mutant genes. Giovannoni's co-author, Professor Graham Seymour, explained more to The BBC:
Dr. Jim Giovannoni, who was one of the 300 plant geneticists from 14 countries who worked on the project, says cracking the tomato DNA code will enable plant breeders to grow tomatoes any way they please. The authors also claim the new DNA information could reduce the need for pesticides.
The reason why they couldn't do this before is that tampering with one characteristic usually affects another. For example, to make today's tomatoes last longer, they would have to be bred to ripen extra slowly via the introduction of non-ripening mutant genes. Giovannoni's co-author, Professor Graham Seymour, explained more to The BBC:
"[This] has been quite a blunt instrument, because when you slow ripening down you also slow down those other processes like flavour development and colour development."
So basically, the discovery of this sequence means they can extend the shelf-life without affecting the tomatoes taste. 
