Salt-tolerant tomato lines are undergoing large-scale field trials in North America and the Mediterranean region Photo: Stephanie Berghaeuse

The first phase of a joint programme for the development of salt-tolerant tomato varieties has been successfully completed by the Israeli research company, Evogene (Rehovat), and the Israeli vegetable seed company, Zeraim Gedera (Gedera).

Tomato lines selected in the first phase are undergoing large-scale field trials in North America and the Mediterranean region. The next stage aims to improve the commercial viability of the new varieties and to continue to develop additional varieties for new target markets. The companies expect to reach commercialisation within three years. Zeraim Gedera was acquired by Syngenta earlier this year.
By Simon Varcoe

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