This is how science is making fruits and vegetables more resilient to climate change

He Climate change And threatening Food security In this world. system Food and Agriculture of the United Nations (FAO) warned that “episodes Climate Increasingly frequent and intense peaks can have a negative impact on availability foodsAccess to them, their sustainability and their use, as well as livelihood assets and opportunities in rural and urban areas.

In this context, the Plant breeding has emerged as a promising alternative to address Climate changes affect that Production Overall foods. This procedure consists of accelerating Genetic changes Arbitrary in Plants Models capable of acquiring new categories, or in this case, new challenges Climate change In Agriculture.

More and more companies are betting on this production method. Below are some of the best Plant-enhanced foods And the newspaper suggested The New York Times:

Cherry trees are characterized by their need for a “chill time” to produce fruit. It means one month temperature 32 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit (0 to 7 degrees Celsius) in winter. However, with the increase temperature Even in times WinterMany regions struggle to find ways to provide this much-needed cooling time and continue to develop it fruit.

The solution may come from the “Siri Cupid” category that was created International Fruit Genetics, which was recently acquired by Bloom Fresh International. There are Cherry fruitsIn addition to a peculiar heart shape, they require only a third of the usual cold, making them very tolerant of heat. Mild weather And better survive the unusual winter.

Not only are they tougher, they are also juicier and sweeter than other varieties Cherry fruitsmaking them a promising option for consumers.

The Cauliflower It is a Plant Especially sensitive to sunlight. When it’s ready Harvest, its green leaves open to reveal a white head called “curd”. However, excessive sunlight can cause it to stain and brown, making it less attractive to consumers. To avoid this, the Farmers They often fold the leaves over the curd by hand, an expensive and laborious process.

There is a solution “Destinica True-White”Various Cauliflower Syngenta is made from vegetable seeds. This Cauliflower Basically no sunburn, eliminating the need to wrap the leaves Harvest. In addition to resistance Climate changeIt is very friendly the ground Because it “requires low nitrogen fertilizer and thrives in long dry periods,” it explains. The New York Times.

Melon, A Crop Characteristic of some regions, they also face challenges due to Change Climate. In 2011, Melons Contamination with the bacteria Listeria claimed the lives of 33 people in Colorado. America, That’s prompting researchers at the Texas A&M Fruit and Vegetable Development Center to look for solutions.

Besides Food securityThey were needed Melons Tolerable conditions Drought Increasingly common and in response, two new melons have been developed, the “Supermelon” and the “Delicious”.

These varieties have a deep root system that allows them to take up more water from the soil and, as a result, are less dependent on constant irrigation. In addition to its resistance DroughtThese are Melons They are known for their sweetness and smooth pulp, which appeals to consumers.

Pairwise scientists in North Carolina CRISPR has adopted gene-editing technology, which takes DNA from one species and splices it into another, accelerating the creation. Crops Resistance Climate change And one of his first successes was deleting the gene that gives green mustard its characteristic pungent flavor, resulting in a nutritious salad mix called “Conscious Greens.”

However, its long-term goal is to grow Blackberry Thornless, low soil, water and fertilizer requirements. This will not only simplify the collection but also reduce it Environmental footprint giving up its production.

Carrots are another Crop At the center of attention Plant breeders. For more than a decade, University of Wisconsin-Madison professor Bill Simon has been developing carrots whose seeds germinate in warm, dry, salty soil.

This is especially important in vulnerable areas droughtsLack of sufficient moisture to dilute the mineral salts the ground Can seriously affect germination seeds and growth Carrot.

For this, Dr. Simon proposes crossing sweet traditional carrots with wild carrots. Heat, such as white carrot species grown in Turkey, where temperatures are high. However, he promises that this challenge will require years of research and selective breeding before reaching the goal.

Potato is one of them foods A staple in many foods around the world, it is cultivated in more than a hundred countries and faces existential threats Climate change.

This vegetable traditionally requires a constant water supply and cool climate, which becomes less common with increasing temperatures. Global warming.

Researchers at the University of Maine, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture America And the potato industry, see South America and in the heat-tolerant varieties of the south AmericaGenetic clues that help potatoes survive Extreme heat And flood. Additionally, strategies to combat new pests and diseases that accompany these types of ecosystems are being explored.

Although the Haas avocado (also known as balta in some countries) is the undisputed protagonist of the guacamole world, the newer, more Ecology The so-called Luna UCR will change the scene for years to come.

This butter, say connoisseurs, has a nutty, delicate taste, and is slightly sweeter than Hass; 50 years in development and the result of work Plant breeders of the University California Riverside, together with the European Agricultural Agency, has one of the largest collections of avocado genetic material in the world. EUROSMILLA S.A.

The most striking thing about the Luna UCR is its focus Consistency. The trees are thinner, shorter and require less space than traditional avocado varieties. And, there are a lot of them Skilled in use AquaAn important feature fruit Generally requires extensive irrigation.

They also have high productivity fruit In low land, it is only beneficial from one point of view environmentLuna also reduces labor costs, according to Eric Vogt, a research associate who participated in URC’s development.