SEEDS
marker-assisted breeding technology reduces the
time needed to produce new crop varieties
search is now on better understanding of how we perceive flavour To do this, we need to take marker-assisted
to redress the (a term that combines taste, texture, appearance breeding to a new level. Analytical chemists,
balance using and aroma). geneticists and consumer scientists in Syngenta
predictable are working together to identify correlations
markers to The ‘Kumato’ tomato with its unusual colour, between sections of the plant chromosome and
breed for better intense flavour and higher sweetness is an specific chemical components in the fruit that
flavour. All this is example of an innovative product developed provide the flavour. Consumer scientists use ‘taste
possible thanks by Syngenta breeders, using purely traditional panels’ to make the correlations between the
to a methods. In future, marker-assisted breeding components and the desired flavours or textures.
and analytical technologies will accelerate the These correlations then help to guide future
development and launch of such innovative breeding efforts supported by genetic marker
products. In 2007, Syngenta announced that it technology. One day, HPLC (high performance
would provide free access to its state-of-the- liquid chromatography) and mass spectrometers
art physical genome map for tomato to the will become as much a tool of the modern
International Genome Sequencing Project, a breeding programme as the gene chip and the
consortium of public and academic centres pollination stick.
sequencing the tomato genome. Sequencing
of the tomato genome will create an Flavour is just one example of the types of
international resource for Solanaceae complex traits that can be used more predictably
genomics. These resources will be used to in modern breeding to meet market demands.
help develop new tomato varieties (and other In some parts of the world, innovation is about
Solanaceae crops, like pepper and aubergine) using natural genetics to improve flavours or
The ‘Kumato’ tomato combining disease resistance, yield and quality. textures or bringing through new products that
www.agrow.com  •   January 2008 3
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