Plant breeding in sweet fruit and red berries

Plant Breeding in Stone Fruit and Berries

Varietal innovation in the fruit sector is no longer optional — it has become a necessity.

Humans have been practicing genetic improvement since our ancestors first formed sedentary societies. At that time, they began selecting seeds and plants with specific traits, marking the beginning of plant breeding. The main goal of this work is to improve the productivity, resistance, and quality of plants and their fruits.

Faced with a globalized market that demands high quality, flavor, shelf life, and sustainability, the stone fruit and berry sectors have committed to significant investment in research and development of new plant varieties that meet market and consumer expectations, while also responding to climate challenges. This profound transformation is reshaping how fruits such as apples, pears, peaches, strawberries, and blueberries are cultivated, marketed, and consumed.

Facing New Challenges

Over the past decade, the fruit sector has had to adapt to numerous challenges. The most well-known is climate change, particularly warmer winters. However, there are also new pests and diseases, increasing demand for tastier, more visually appealing fruit, and commercial pressure to extend shelf life to reduce food waste and maximize retail display time. There is also a growing need for crops that use resources more efficiently, aligning with more sustainable agricultural practices.

In this context, genetic improvement and varietal innovation are seen as key tools to address the various demands of the entire value chain.

Collaborative Research in Plant Breeding

Research institutes, universities, breeding companies, and public-private consortia work daily on the development and selection of new seed and plant varieties that meet the needs of consumers, farmers, and supply chains.

Spain is a leader in plant breeding innovation, with more than 75 research centers, both public and private, 11 of which are dedicated exclusively to fruit trees.

Innovation in Sweet Fruit and Berries

The stone fruit segment — including peaches, nectarines, plums, cherries, and apricots — has been one of the most active in varietal innovation, with hundreds of new varieties registered in recent years.

Balancing Consumer and Supply Chain Needs

Breeding companies strive to meet consumer expectations for sweetness, aroma, and texture, while also addressing supply chain needs such as postharvest resistance, durability, reduced waste, and extended harvest windows.

Adapting to Climate Change

New varieties are already being developed for warmer climates with fewer chilling hours, which is critical for proper bud break and flowering in new growing regions.

Advances by Crop Type

Apple Breeding

Spanish and European programs have introduced apple varieties with better flavor, texture, storage capacity, and resistance to common diseases.

Innovation in Pears

Innovation in pears has been slower, partly due to consumer loyalty to traditional varieties. Still, new varieties have emerged that combine flavor, storage life, and transportability.

Berries: A Breeding Revolution

Among all fruit groups, berries have undergone the most dramatic transformation thanks to plant breeding. Blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries have all seen improvements in productivity, taste, resistance, and climate adaptability.

Blueberries

Low-chill varieties have enabled cultivation in warmer regions like Latin America, Africa, and Southeast Asia. New varieties also offer greater firmness and sweetness, ideal for fresh export markets.

Raspberries

Raspberries have been bred for larger fruit size, better flavor, and disease resistance. New varieties also support extended harvests and are compatible with hydroponic systems.

Blackberries

Once a marginal or wild crop, blackberries now benefit from improved varieties with better flavor, size, and shelf life, enabling international marketing.

Strawberries

One of the most researched crops, strawberries now include varieties resistant to diseases like powdery mildew, anthracnose, and Fusarium, as well as those with higher vitamin C, stronger aroma, and better transport tolerance.

The Role of Genetics and Biotechnology

Many of these advances wouldn't be possible without ongoing plant breeding innovation and the use of genome editing techniques.

New Biotechnological Tools

These techniques allow for precise gene editing without introducing foreign DNA. This speeds up naturally occurring breeding processes, reducing both cost and development time.

Marker-Assisted Selection and Functional Genomics

Other key tools include:

Marker-assisted selection

Functional genomics

These techniques help identify genes linked to disease resistance, sugar accumulation, fruit color, and water stress tolerance, improving parent selection and breeding outcomes with greater precision.

Where Are We Headed?

Genetic improvement will remain essential for feeding a growing population. Future varieties must focus on resilience, sustainability, and profitability.

Resilient Varieties and Precision Agriculture

The future lies in varieties that are more resistant to environmental stress, have lower environmental impact, and are better suited for precision agriculture — enabling farmers to optimize varietal performance and maximize yields based on specific growing conditions.

Conclusion: A More Profitable, Sustainable, and Consumer-Focused Fruit Sector

Varietal innovation in stone fruit, pome fruit, and berries not only addresses market demands — it creates a unique opportunity to modernize the fruit sector, making it more profitable, sustainable, and aligned with the real needs of consumers and the planet.