CRISPR Unlocks Sweeter Tomatoes Without Sacrificing Size

Chinese scientists have used gene editing to boost sugar content in tomatoes by 30% while maintaining their size and yield.

Researchers at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences have identified two genes, SlCDPK27 and SlCDPK26, that act as 'sugar brakes' in tomatoes.
Using CRISPR-Cas9 technology, these genes were deactivated, resulting in tomatoes with significantly higher fructose and glucose levels.
The gene-edited tomatoes maintain the same size and yield as conventional varieties, addressing a common trade-off in tomato breeding.
While the modified tomatoes produce fewer and lighter seeds, the seeds remain healthy with normal germination rates.
The findings could lead to sweeter tomatoes in supermarkets and may also have applications for enhancing other crops.