New from breeding: tomatoes resistant to late blight (phytophthora)

On the way to 6 resistant varieties

Average breeding takes about ten years, so 6 years is relatively short. “This is partly because you can grow two generations of tomatoes in a single year,” explains Frans. “Usually, by the end of the breeding process, you are 8 to 10 generations in. In this case, we also used genes from existing varieties and crossed them with the resistant gene. As a result, the new varieties are similar to the existing ones.”
 
In Europe, there weren’t really any varieties with this high level of resistance yet. The team hopes to have found a more robust resistance that won’t be broken quickly. Frans: “But we know it will eventually happen, so in the meantime, we are already searching for new sources of resistance.” At the moment, three resistant varieties have been brought to market: a midi San Marzano tomato, a cocktail tomato, and a snack tomato. Trials are already underway for three other varieties, including a Roma tomato. These will be available on the market next year.

No GMOs and no patents

Some companies claim that they can pivot much faster using GMOs, but Frans believes that is a false claim. “The process that precedes it—deciding what to adjust and understanding the effect—remains just as long. Only the crossing of that specific trait can be faster. My opinion is that you don’t need GMOs for breeding. There is plenty of variation to be found in nature. Moreover, the long-term effects remain to be seen. Genes are all interconnected. What happens further down the chain if you change one small part? Is it still safe?

“In recent years, we’ve seen a new tomato virus appearing in more and more places. We try to incorporate resistance to that immediately as well.”

At De Bolster, we are also opposed to applying for patents on plant varieties, which still happens despite an EU ban. It prevents small companies from working with a specific gene because you are always dependent on other companies for permission to use a trait. And the costs can escalate significantly. It therefore hinders innovation, which ultimately gives growers fewer choices.  

With these three Phytophthora-resistant tomato varieties, growers are finally getting what they’ve long been waiting for. Frans expects De Bolster to become a major player in the market as a result. And if other companies want to add this resistance to their own varieties, they are more than welcome.