SEEDS
Figure 2 – vegetable seeds: targeting consumer benefits
Health
attributes
Disease / virus resistance
Flavour
Yield
Consumer:
Colour
grower:
appeal
Plant habit
productivity
Texture Stress tolerance
Firmness
Long
shelf life
Trader:
Example: standard EU processability
tomato variety
Source: Syngenta
It is difficult to satisfy the needs of growers, the trade and consumers accounts of almost 40% of the total tomato produce value in EU, but
at the same time. This chart explains the produce traits which have to which is really satisfying only 5% of consumers with its flavour. The
be addressed to satisfy those various stakeholders. main reason why the standard tomato is so popular is mostly a result
In the industrial world, where consumers buy produce mostly through
of its favourable agronomic and post-harvest attributes. It is easy to
supermarkets, economy is generally a key driver. Production efficiency
grow, has very high yield and a long shelf-life. These characteristics are
and long shelf life have thus been the main focus of the breeding clearly benefiting growers and retailers but do not fulfill the need of
activities of the vegetables seeds industry in the past. A good example the consumer. Syngenta research is now addressing the challenge of
for the lack of consumer appeal is the standard tomato type, which satisfying the consumer.
redefine the market (for example the personal- crops like corn, soy and oilseeds also continue in some areas. Microsensors for remote continuous
sized watermelon). But in other markets, the to be major breeding targets. In these crops, sensing of photosynthesis, drought stress or fruit
flavour characteristics are already there but need marker-assisted breeding for yield gains and ripeness could be immensely powerful tools.
to be supplemented with superior agronomic agronomic performance, particularly in the face Imagine the potential of a breeding programme
characteristics – another application of our of environmental stress, are the main focus. supported by remote sensor technology, where
growing ability to be more predictive in our This superior germplasm, when combined with your selected plants can effectively tell you how
breeding. Overall, we expect these approaches the best GM traits, will surely make the best they’re doing in real time! The research expertise
to increase the probability of us finding the right contribution to the sustainability challenges we and multiple platforms required to deliver these
combinations of effects. face. No one technology will do it alone. innovations means only the biggest and best in
the industry are likely to survive. There are
The shape of things to come While these new technologies are already exciting times ahead.
While many companies have extensive breeding revolutionising the seeds industry, there is still
programmes in high-value vegetable crops much more to come. For example, Dr Martin Battersby is head of technology,
there is no doubt that future advances in other Syngenta Seeds and is based at Jealott’s Hill in
the major field technologies developed for the the UK.
electronics industry, may
change the paradigm
 January 2008  •  www.agrow.com
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