Texas A&M AgriLife Research leading effort to develop more high-quality, resilient tomatoes
Vegetable and Fruit Improvement Center will produce advanced tomato breeding lines
In response to the growing challenges in tomato production, Texas A&M AgriLife Research’s Vegetable and Fruit Improvement Center is leading the effort to develop and employ a systems-based approach to build a more sustainable and competitive tomato industry in the U.S.
Awarded an $8.4 million grant by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, USDA-NIFA, AgriLife Research will spearhead a groundbreaking four-year multi-institution collaborative project to develop resilient, high-quality tomato varieties.
The project, “Climate Resilient High-Quality Tomato Varieties for Sustainable Production,” will be led by Bhimu Patil, Ph.D., a professor in the Texas A&M Department of Horticultural Sciences and director of the university’s Vegetable and Fruit Improvement Center. Patil is also a Regents Professor and the university’s Love Tito’s Endowed Professor in Responsive Agriculture.
“The innovative work being done by Dr. Patil and his team will have a long-lasting impact on both the tomato industry and the health of consumers,” said G. Cliff Lamb, Ph.D., director of AgriLife Research. “This project will improve both the sensory qualities and human health benefits of tomatoes.”
Industry challenges prompt tomato improvement project
Tomatoes are one of the most widely cultivated, extensively consumed and economically important horticultural crops in the U.S., but Patil said the industry is being challenged.
Efforts are needed to sustain the competitiveness of domestic production and develop resilience to the increased frequency and severity of biotic and abiotic stresses, all while meeting consumer demands.
“This project idea was born from extensive discussions with key industry stakeholders, consumers and retailers,” Patil said. “Our national survey identified crucial priorities like heat tolerance, water-use efficiency, flavor, quality, human health properties and disease resistance. Through this grant, we will address these challenges and improve the overall quality of tomatoes to benefit both producers and consumers.”
He said the team will produce advanced breeding lines of tomatoes better equipped to thrive in diverse growing environments while enhancing their flavor, human health-promoting properties and shelf life.
Amit Dhingra, Ph.D., head of the Department of Horticultural Sciences, said the synergy developed through collaboration with other participating institutions in implementing the project will greatly benefit U.S. tomato production.
“The project will not only produce new varieties of tomatoes but will also generate vital data and tools that will benefit breeders, farmers and consumers in Texas and the U.S. for years to come,” Dhingra said.
He also noted the project aligns with the department’s ongoing efforts to support sustainability, wellness and food security.
Addressing consumer preferences for tomatoes
Patil said one of the key objectives of the project is to address consumer dissatisfaction with the flavor of tomatoes, which has contributed to a decline in consumption.
“The breeding programs will focus on enhancing not just the resilience of the tomatoes but also their taste, texture and aroma,” he said.
By producing tomatoes that are both nutritious and appealing to the palate, the project aims to boost consumer demand and support healthier eating habits.
A collaborative effort across institutions
Patil said the collaborative nature of this project will be integral to its success.
AgriLife Research and the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service are joined by the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service, the University of Florida, Michigan State University, the University of California, Cornell University, the University of Arizona, the University of Washington, North Carolina State University, the University of Georgia and Oregon State University.
“Together, these institutions bring a wealth of expertise in tomato breeding, genomics, human health properties, physiology, nutrition and extension services,” Patil said.
Experts from five major tomato breeding programs will develop regionally adapted, disease-resistant tomato varieties with improved water-use efficiency and heat tolerance. This systems-based approach will help meet the diverse needs of the industry across the different U.S. regions.
Industry support for the project
The project has already garnered enthusiastic support from industry leaders.
“As a specialty crop producer, I strongly believe that great-quality tomatoes will help drive the market and provide financial incentives to U.S. producers,” said Jimmie Bassetti, president and CEO of J&D Produce in Edinburg. “It will also help bring significant health benefits to consumers by ensuring that they have access to flavorful, nutritious tomatoes.”
Dante Galeazzi, president and CEO of Texas International Produce Association in Mission, said the project’s focus on water-use efficiency and heat tolerance is crucial for improving the overall quality and sustainability of tomatoes.
“These strategies will have a lasting impact on producers, handlers, processors and retailers across the nation,” Galeazzi said.
Developing a sustainable future for agriculture
Patil said the need to produce resilient, high-quality agricultural crops has never been greater.
“This USDA-funded project is an essential step toward building a more sustainable and competitive tomato industry in the U.S.,” he said. “By employing a systems-based approach that incorporates cutting-edge genomics, breeding techniques and consumer insights, the project will provide valuable solutions to the critical challenges facing the tomato industry.”
