Bayer: Science For A Better Life - research

Integrated breeding for high-quality fruit and vegetables

When genes get crossed

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Vegetable experts: Jorge Marin Ruiz harvests a Nunhems tomato variety that meets the highest quality requirements with regard to yield, appearance, flavor and use options.

The variety of vegetables is as great as their dietary value: peppers, tomatoes and cucumbers not only contain vital vitamins and fiber but also numerous substances that protect the body against disease. But none of the varieties we know today would exist without an in many cases decade-long breeding process involving crossing and selection.

DNA analysis in cucumber seeds
Scientists at Nunhems, the vegetable seed business of Bayer CropScience, can now considerably accelerate this process: using integrated breeding, they select from thousands of plants those ones with the desired traits without having to plant cucumbers or tomatoes for this purpose. They determine specific DNA sequences – known as molecular marker in the technical jargon – and search for the desired traits even in young shoots. Find out here how the vegetable experts are breeding new, high-yield and high-flavor varieties faster.