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Tomatoes Could Soon Survive Extreme Heat Conditions, Scientists Say

Tomatoes Could Soon Survive Extreme Heat Conditions, Scientists Say

This discovery could help crops adapt and thrive amid climate change.

With climate change continuing to impact agriculture, scientists at Brown University have made a breakthrough that could change the future of tomato farming.

New research suggests that some tomato varieties may soon be able to withstand extreme heat, a development that could help protect crops as global temperatures rise.

In a study supported by the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, researchers examined how tomatoes respond to heat during their reproductive phase. 

They discovered that certain tomato varieties, particularly those from hot regions like the Philippines, Russia, and Mexico, have developed mechanisms that allow them to thrive under high temperatures.

“Understanding thermotolerance, or the ability of a plant to withstand extreme temperatures, is a promising strategy to address climate adaptation,” said researcher Mark Johnson. 

The discovery could help maintain a steady tomato supply despite more heatwaves. Scientists now work to apply these findings to commercially grown tomatoes, which would endure “temperature stress without affecting the flavor profile.”

Sorel V. Yimga Ouonkap, a researcher on the team, explained that the next step is to develop treatments that make tomato plants more heat-resistant, which would give farmers a tool to protect their crops during heatwaves.

“The farmer would apply a product to plants that would change the gene expression so that the pollen would be resilient to heat,” Ouonkap said.