Scientists Map the Tomato’s Genome

WEDNESDAY, May 30 (HealthDay News) — Scientists who were the
first to fully sequence the tomato genome say their achievement is a
critical step toward improving its yield, nutrition, disease resistance,
taste and color.

The international group of researchers focused on a “Heinz 1706” tomato
and found that it has about 35,000 genes arranged on 12 chromosomes.

“For any characteristic of the tomato — whether it’s taste, natural
pest resistance or nutritional content — we’ve captured virtually all
those genes,” James Giovannoni, the leader of the U.S. sequencing team and
a scientist at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., and the U.S. Department
of Agriculture, said in university news release.

The full genome sequence, as well as the sequence of a wild relative,
will appear May 31 in the journal Nature.

“Tomato genetics underlies the potential for improved taste every home
gardener knows and every supermarket shopper desires,” Giovannoni said.
“The genome sequence will help solve this and many other issues in tomato
production and quality.”

This genome sequence will make it easier and less costly for seed
companies and plant breeders to sequence other tomato varieties for
research and development, he noted.

The sequencing of the tomato genome also has implications for other
plant species. Fleshy fruits such as strawberries, apples, melons and
bananas share some characteristics with tomatoes. Information about tomato
genes could potentially be applied to these species, helping to improve
food quality and security and reduce costs, Giovannoni said.

On average, each American consumes more than 72 pounds of tomato
products a year, according to the USDA. Tomatoes are a $2 billion market
in the United States.

More information

Visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to learn about
fresh produce safety.

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