Upstream Biotechnology partners with Bene Seeds to develop high-yielding heirloom tomatoes

Durham, N.C.-based variety development company Upstream Biotechnology and Bene Seeds Inc., a California-based provider of tomato seed products say they have formed a strategic business and R&D partnership with plans to create new tomato varieties that combine genetics for excellent flavor and shelf life with broad-spectrum disease resistance.

These new varieties will be suitable for growth in a wide range of different geographies and will make premium, heirloom-quality tomatoes available to the mainstream markets, according to a news release.

Upstream said it will apply its breading platform to enhance specialty crops, including tomatoes.(Photo: Cecilia Di Dio, Adobe Stock)

Upstream said its breeding techniques develop plants with protection from yield-threatening diseases and have delivered strong results in soybeans and rice. The company will apply its breading platform to enhance specialty crops, including tomatoes.

″Field tomatoes and protected tomatoes are vulnerable to many common diseases,″ George Greene, founder and CEO of Upstream, said in the release. ″By breeding genetics for broad-spectrum disease resistance into tomato varieties, we can significantly reduce crop losses, ensuring more consistent yields and higher-quality fruit. This innovation not only enhances the reliability and sustainability of tomato production, but also supports growers in meeting the growing demand for premium tomatoes while reducing the need for chemical treatments.″

″Bene Seeds specializes in breeding tomatoes that offer real benefits to the customer; our varieties taste and look great but also have a long shelf life, which reduces food waste,″ said Oliver Ratcliffe, co-founder of Bene Seeds, ″The collaboration with Upstream will further improve the natural resistance of our varieties to various diseases and thereby enhance the fruit yield that is obtained by growers.″