In Vadodara, India, researchers from the Department of Botany at M S University's Faculty of Science have made headway in producing seedless tomatoes and extending their shelf life through gene silencing techniques. The research, funded by the Science and Engineering Research Board, was led by Professor Sunil Singh. His team focused on caspase-like genes in tomatoes, identifying their roles in controlling both vegetative and reproductive development.
Singh explained, "We studied the roles of the caspase-like genes in tomatoes," and added, "By silencing one of the genes, we were able to produce seedless tomatoes." This breakthrough also has implications for making plants more resilient to environmental stressors such as heat and drought.
The study suggests that modifying these genes can aid in developing tomatoes and other crops that are better adapted to climate-related challenges. "The study further revealed that these genes help plants respond to environmental stressors like heat and drought," Singh stated, noting the potential implications for food security in an era of climate change.
In addition to seedlessness, these genes regulate the aging of leaves. Singh pointed out, "Silencing of these genes changes how leaves and plants age," indicating the potential applications for enhancing crop sustainability. He noted that such genetic modifications could pave the way for new varieties of fruits and vegetables.
The demand for seedless fruits is already prevalent in crops such as bananas, grapes, and oranges. Typically, these are produced naturally or through hormone treatments, which are often inefficient. Singh elaborated that "If caspase-like genes are harnessed to create seedless fruits, it will yield significant benefits for both the agriculture sector and the fruit industry."
Post-success with tomatoes, the research team aims to extend these genetic tools to other leafy vegetables and fruits. This pursuit seeks to improve crop resilience, stress mitigation, and shelf life, contributing to sustainable agriculture. Singh concluded, "By utilising these genes as genetic tools, seedless varieties could potentially be developed in numerous other important vegetables and fruits."
Source: Times of India