Enhancing crop potential of Solanaceae with biotechnology for food security

The modern food system is largely dependent on a limited genetic pool of crops, raising significant concerns about agricultural sustainability and food security. Only a small fraction of the world’s biodiversity is cultivated, making crops vulnerable to diseases and environmental changes.

This lack of genetic diversity underscores the need to diversify our food sources to safeguard against future challenges. This research responds to those concerns by exploring how advanced biotechnologies can increase the genetic diversity and resilience of Solanaceae crops—key contributors to both global and local food systems.

A team of researchers from the University of Florida, in partnership with experts from the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas—Universitat Politècnica de València (CSIC-UPV) in Spain, has published a study in Horticulture Research.

The study focuses on applying deep knowledge of Solanaceae domestication, combined with virus-based biotechnologies, to enhance the performance and diversity of Solanaceae crops, which include essential global staples like potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers. The research emphasizes the potential of recombinant virus technologies (RVTs) for precise genetic modification in these crops, aiming to improve not only widely cultivated varieties but also underutilized species within the Solanaceae family.

The research highlights the transformative power of RVTs in the breeding of Solanaceae crops. By using engineered viruses, scientists can induce both transient and heritable changes in plant traits, such as disease resistance, nutritional enhancement, and environmental adaptability. The study underscores the importance of RVTs for functional genomics and the reprogramming of plant traits, moving beyond theoretical applications in model plants to real-world crop improvements.

Notably, the study explores advancements in reverse genetics of negative-stranded RNA viruses, resulting in viral vectors capable of delivering CRISPR-Cas components into plant cells—opening new pathways for precise, inheritable genetic modifications that could transform the crop development process.

Fabio Pasin, lead author of the study, comments, “Our research illustrates the remarkable potential of combining deep taxonomic expertise with cutting-edge biotechnology. By focusing on the Solanaceae family, we can enhance not only widely recognized crops but also bring underutilized species into the agricultural mainstream, improving food security and enriching nutritional diversity across the globe.”

The potential applications of this research are vast, offering the possibility of rapidly developing crop varieties that are more resilient to diseases, better suited to local environments, and higher in nutritional value. Such innovations could lead to more sustainable agricultural practices, reducing labor demands and enhancing food system resilience. Ultimately, the research promises to contribute to more sustainable, diverse, and secure food sources, benefiting both global food security and local nutrition.

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