Project Summary
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is one of Kenya’s most valuable vegetable crops, contributing over 14% of the nation’s total vegetable output. Despite its importance, tomato production is hampered by severe yield losses due to diseases, pests, drought and postharvest spoilage, which together account for more than 25% of global production losses. With the global tomato market valued at over USD 500 billion annually, these constraints pose serious challenges to productivity, profitability, and food security. This project aims to develop next-generation, gene-edited tomato varieties with enhanced disease resistance, extended shelf life, and improved drought tolerance, advancing food security, climate resilience and sustainable agricultural productivity in Kenya and across East Africa.
Aim
To develop gene-edited tomato varieties with disease resistance, extended shelf-life and drought tolerance, contributing to food security and climate resilience.
Objectives
- Establish an efficient gene editing system for tomato improvement.
- Develop disease-resistant tomato lines by targeting genes that contribute to susceptibility.
- Enhance fruit shelf life by modifying genes associated with ripening and postharvest deterioration.
- Improve drought tolerance by editing genes involved in stress response and water-use efficiency.
- Combine disease resistance, extended shelf life, and drought tolerance to produce improved, transgene-free tomato varieties.
Outcomes
- Development of gene-edited tomato varieties with improved resistance to major diseases.
- Production of tomato varieties with significantly extended shelf life and reduced postharvest losses.
- Generation of drought-tolerant tomato lines capable of maintaining yield under water-limited conditions.
- Creation of transgene-free tomato varieties combining multiple beneficial traits.
- Enhanced research capacity through the training of Ph.D. students and the establishment of local expertise in gene editing technologies.
Target Country
- Kenya
Research Location
- Kenya: Nairobi