Salute the humble tomato
The genetic code of the domesticated tomato as well as its wild ancestor has been cracked: we should look on it with greater respect now that we know it has more genes than us Homo sapiens. We know a lot more about the genetic code of various animals, fruits and vegetables than ever before, and pathbreaking research into the fundamentals
of life should allow progress on many scientific fronts in the new millennium.
Successful research on the tomato can help breeders identify the genes needed to develop tastier and more nutritious varieties, while knowledge of the tomato’s ripening process can open doors to understanding the molecular circuits of fruits and what gives them their health-promoting properties.
We may use the tomato more often as puree, in making ketchup or pickle, but many fleshy and seemingly more attractive fruits like strawberries, apples and melons share the tomato’s characteristics. Genetic knowledge of the tomato could be applied to many fruits to help breeders improve food quality and cut costs.
Scientists are convinced that further study of fruit biology, disease resistance, root development and nutritional qualities could lead to more beneficial harvests in the future. Such deep knowledge of the red fruit might, however, not lead the Spaniards of Bunol to throw over-ripe tomatoes in their thousands with any less abandon at their annual “La Tomatina” festival this August. After all, the festival is part of the folklore of the tomato that means so much to our healthy diet.
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