| Publication date | January 30, 2019 |
|---|---|
| Sector | Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries |
| Region name | Overseas（Europe・EU） |
From the perspective of climate change and population growth projections, it is extremely important for society to ensure an adequate supply of nutritious and high-quality fruits and vegetables. For example, in the case of tomatoes, the ideal temperature for growth is 18°C to 29°C, but research from France has shown that when the temperature rises by 2°C, yield increases but quality is negatively affected.
The TomGEM project was launched in 2016 as a four-year EU-supported project to maintain high fruit and vegetable quality and yield under adverse temperature conditions. Tomato cultivation can be a good model on which to base the development of new breeding and management methods.
The four main objectives of TomGEM are : ①selection of excellent genotypes in terms of fruiting, yield stability and fruit quality at higher temperatures; ②identification of gene sequences and varietal diversity in terms of fruit yield and heat resistance; ③preparation of optimal growth conditions to improve the fruiting rate of selected genotypes at higher temperatures; ④development of breeding and control methods that can be used in various geographical conditions to ensure high yields without degradation due to higher temperatures.
The development and management of new tomato varieties is expected to improve the yield and quality of tomato production in the face of climate change impacts.
