… by human tampering? That’s the message here at ScienceDaily:
Analysis of the genome sequences of these 360 varieties and wild strains shows which regions of the genome were under selection during domestication and breeding. The study identified two independent sets of genes responsible for making the fruit of modern commercial tomatoes 100 times larger than their wild ancestors.
An important finding is that specific regions of the tomato genome were unintentionally depleted in genetic variation: for example, in DNA around genes conferring larger fruit size or genes for resistance to diseases afflicting tomato plants.
These stretches of genetic uniformity illustrate the need to increase overall genetic diversity in modern varieties and highlight the important role that the Rick Tomato Genetics Resource Center and similar collections play in housing much of the genetic variability that will be critical for future breeding and research on tomato.
This coffee post is dedicated to all tomato gardeners who have wondered at the sheer variety of the pests and parasites that afflict tomatoes. As my grandma would say, everything seems to like tomatoes except spoiled children. – O’Leary for News
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Here’s a BIG pest for you: