Hebrew University researchers develop cold-resistant tomatoes via CRISPR

Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have developed cold-resistant tomatoes using CRISPR gene-editing technology. By intervening in a hormonal pathway, the scientists enabled the plants to develop fruit through parthenocarpy—a process where fruit grows without the need for pollination or fertilization.

This breakthrough addresses a major challenge in winter tomato production, where low temperatures often prevent pollen release and fertilization, leading to flower drop. In unheated greenhouse trials, the gene-edited plants produced six times more mature fruit and ten times more total mature fruit mass compared to control plants.