Key Takeaways
- Climate change is impacting seed breeding & selection, with breeders focusing on climate-resilient varieties tested under real-world conditions.
- Technological advancements such as molecular markers, gene editing, and AI-driven breeding are accelerating the development of improved crop varieties.
- Disease and pest resistance remain critical challenges, with breeders introducing innovative traits such as leaf hair density in tomatoes to reduce pest susceptibility.
- Sustainability is driving seed development, with efforts to reduce water usage, enhance disease resistance, and support organic farming.
- Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) and vertical farming are increasing demand for short-cycle, high-density crops tailored for high-yield indoor production.
- The vegetable breeding market is highly fragmented, leading to regional-specific variety selection and limited application of GMOs compared to broadacre crops.
Climate Change and the Future of Seed Development
The agricultural sector is adapting to the challenges of climate change, and seed companies are playing a pivotal role in ensuring resilient and adaptable crops.
Jean-Marie (Jim) Rozec, seed expert at Voltz Maraîchage, explains that breeding programs are now conducted in real-world conditions, allowing varieties to naturally adapt to extreme environments.
“Most breeder field selection steps are now conducted in grower conditions. For instance, in California, where severe drought conditions are more frequent, varieties naturally adapted to these trial conditions emerge from the selection process.”
Governments are also investing in the development of climate-resilient seeds, supporting research that ensures food security amid changing weather patterns.
Technological Advances in Seed Breeding
Molecular Markers & AI-Driven Breeding
The seed industry is undergoing a technological revolution, with molecular markers, AI, and gene editing transforming seed selection & breeding. Rozec describes breeding as “an art of compromise,” where varieties must balance grower needs (disease resistance, shelf-life) and consumer preferences (taste, texture, nutrition).
“Over the last decades, technology has tremendously increased breeding capacities. Molecular markers techniques are used daily for predictive breeding, increasing accuracy and speed while reducing the need for extensive field trials.”
Rozec provides an example of this challenge in melon breeding:
- Consumers prioritize sweetness, requiring higher sugar content.
- Retailers prioritize shelf-life, which is reduced when sugar content is high.
Striking a balance between these traits is key to developing successful varieties.
Gene Editing in Vegetable Breeding
While GMOs are less prevalent in vegetables due to market fragmentation and regulatory hurdles, gene editing is gaining traction.
Rozec highlights the 2021 introduction of a gene-edited tomato with high GABA content in Japan, showing the potential of CRISPR-Cas9 technology in enhancing disease resistance, flavor, and nutritional value.
“Gene editing allows precise DNA modifications without introducing foreign DNA. It is proving effective in disease and stress resistance, flavor enhancement, and improving nutritional content.”
Looking ahead, AI is expected to further accelerate breeding by analyzing vast datasets to predict optimal trait combinations.
“AI tools offer tremendous potential to analyze large quantities of data and predict best combinations, accelerating the development of improved varieties.”
Addressing Pest & Disease Challenges
Innovations in Disease-Resistant Varieties
Developing pest- and disease-resistant crops is a top priority for breeders. Rozec highlights breakthroughs in lettuce, spinach, and basil, particularly against downy mildew (Bremia Lactucae) and the Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV).
“Since 2021, we’ve seen an increasing number of commercial varieties with good resistance to this virus, demonstrating the industry’s ability to respond quickly to new threats.”
Breeding for Natural Pest Resistance
Rozec also describes breeding strategies that utilize plant morphology to reduce pest susceptibility.
“Insects are sensitive to chemical or physical reactions to plants. More hair on tomatoes, for example, can prevent pests from attacking and increase resistance compared to other varieties.”
These natural resistance traits reduce reliance on pesticides, aligning with sustainable farming objectives.
Sustainability & Short-Cycle Crops in Agriculture
Reducing Resource Use & Supporting Organic Production
Seed companies are developing varieties that use fewer resources, including water-efficient crops and organic-certified seeds. Rozec explains that bolting-resistant herbs like dill and coriander are being optimized for summer production and warmer climates.
“By solving pest and disease management issues, vegetable breeders offer good solutions to growers. There’s also the ability to develop varieties adaptable to wider climate windows.”
Short-Cycle Crops for Vertical Farming
With Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) and vertical farming on the rise, breeders are selecting short-cycle, high-density crops that maximize yield.
“CEA, particularly vertical farming, is a focus for Graines Voltz. With high CAPEX, there’s an advantage to fast cycles and high densities. We select compact growth seed varieties with fast development to meet these needs.”
Rozec also notes the growing importance of parthenocarpy (fruit development without pollination), which has become standard in cucumber breeding and could be applied to other crops.
“Parthenocarpy is essential for difficult environments like high humidity or heat, enabling stable yields and seedless fruit production.”
Challenges in the Fragmented Vegetable Breeding Market
Unlike broadacre crops such as corn and soybeans, vegetable breeding is highly fragmented, making it less viable for large-scale GMO adoption.
Rozec explains that vegetable varieties must be adapted to specific conditions, including:
- Climate & geography (latitude, temperature, humidity).
- Farming techniques (organic vs. conventional, soil type).
- Consumer preferences (flavor, texture, cultural food traditions).
“Vegetable breeding is a fragmented market where multiple varieties can be selected as the best cultivar depending on factors such as climate, soil, and regional consumer preferences.”
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