BARD 40 Year Review

Case Study 1: Magical Nebula: A New Sweet Snack Tomato

Principal Investigators: IS: Ari Schaffer, (Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center); US: Mason Pharr (North Carolina State University), Alan Bennett (University of California, Davis)

Goal: To generate a superior tasting tomato through natural genetic manipulation.

Activities: The genetic and biochemical basis for sucrose accumulation was studied first in melons and then in wild tomatoes. Genes that determine greater sucrose and fructose content in wild tomatoes were successfully transferred to domestic cultivars through breeding in order to produce sweeter tasting tomatoes. 

Outcomes: Subsequent R&D was carried out in conjunction with Zeraim Gedera, later bought by Syngenta. The first of 5 planned commercial varieties is the Nebula cherry snack tomato that entered the market in 2015 and is now grown in Europe, Canada and California.

Economic Benefit: Net Present Value of BARD’s investment is $220 million, thereof $24 million already attained. The Internal Rate of Return is 16%. Benefit-Cost Ratio is 47, thereof 6 already attained. 

Capacity Building: At least 12 postgraduates were involved in the research supported by 5 BARD awards between 1987 and 1997. Currently, 7 of these are in academia in the US, Israel and China; 3 are in the biotechnology industry and another 1 at the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture.

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Case Study 2: Brix Quantitative Trait Loci for Processing Tomatoes

Principal Investigators: US: Steve Tanksley (Cornell University); IS: Dani Zamir (Hebrew University of Jerusalem) 

Goal: To discover QTL (quantitative trait loci) alleles associated with soluble solid content (TSS) in wild tomatoes and transfer them to elite processing cultivars. Higher TSS results in a higher utilization of the tomato (more kg of paste per ton) for the processor. 

Activities: Chromosome segments of the wild tomato L. pennellii introgressed with the cultivated tomato enabled the mapping of 23 QTLs that increased Brix, a measure of TSS. The line with the highest increase in TSS (fructose and glucose) with no negative effects on yields was identified.

Outcomes: The high Brix line was incorporated into breeding programs for processing tomatoes at A.B. Seeds, later bought by Monsanto/Bayer. These varieties today comprise ~ 80% of the “thin viscosity” segment of processing tomatoes in California.

Economic Benefit: Net Present Value of BARD’s investment is $261 million, thereof $166 million already attained. The Internal Rate of Return is 28%. Benefit-Cost Ratio is 74, thereof 48 already attained.

Capacity Building: 5 postgraduates were involved in the research supported by the 2 BARD awards between 1995 and 2002. Currently, all 5 hold academic positions, 4 in Israel and 1 in the US.

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