Drought-resistant tomato research: Landlab and partners advance field validation
Landlab, together with the Università degli Studi di Trento, ISI Sementi and IGA Technology Services Srl, is advancing research on drought-resistant tomato lines within the Spoke 4 initiative.
The collaboration aims to identify tomato accessions with improved tolerance to water stress. Therefore, the project focuses on measurable and reproducible traits linked to drought resilience.
MAGIC tomato lines as a genetic resource
The research is based on a panel of MAGIC tomato lines. These lines represent a valuable genetic resource. In fact, they were developed to study complex traits such as drought resilience.
MAGIC populations combine genetic material from multiple parental accessions. As a result, they offer high recombination and broad genetic diversity. Consequently, they are particularly suitable for analysing plant responses to environmental stress.
From controlled screening to field validation
Last year, 180 tomato lines were screened under controlled pot conditions. The aim was to evaluate their response to drought stress in a standardized environment.
Based on these results, the current research phase focuses on 20 selected accessions. Specifically:
-
10 lines identified as drought-sensitive
-
10 lines identified as more drought-tolerant
These selected lines are now cultivated under open-field conditions. Moreover, they are exposed to controlled drought events. This transition from pot trials to field trials provides more realistic data. Therefore, researchers can better assess plant performance under real stress scenarios.
Towards resilient and sustainable agriculture
The broader objective of the project is to strengthen collaboration among research institutions and industry partners. At the same time, it supports the enhancement of crop biodiversity in agronomic species.
This approach is increasingly important. Heatwaves and water scarcity are becoming more frequent. Consequently, efficient water use and the development of resilient crop varieties are essential for sustainable agriculture.
Through this joint effort, Landlab and its partners contribute to data-driven solutions for climate adaptation in tomato cultivation.
