Breeding wildness back into our fruit and veggies

Science Daily ^ | 2/9/16 | Newcastle University

[JimSEA]

Wild tomatoes are better able to protect themselves against the destructive whitefly than our modern, commercial varieties, new research has shown.

The study, published today in the academic journal Agronomy for Sustainable Development, shows that in our quest for larger redder, longer-lasting tomatoes we have inadvertently bred out key characteristics that help the plant defend itself against predators.

Dual mode of resistance in wild tomatoes

Led by Newcastle University, UK, the research shows that wild tomatoes have a dual line of defence against these voracious pests; an initial mechanism which discourages the whitefly from settling on the plant in the first place and a second line of defence which happens inside the plant where a chemical reaction causes the plant sap to "gum up" blocking the whitefly's feeding tube.

[central_va]

When I ordered supplies for a large restaurant where I use to manage the kitchen, I used to order head lettuce and it came in the boxes that that field hands put it in 3000 miles away. That is what the supplier told me.

[Parmy]

When I ordered supplies for a large restaurant where I use to manage the kitchen, I used to order head lettuce and it came in the boxes that that field hands put it in 3000 miles away. That is what the supplier told me.

That is probably correct when talking about individual heads of lettuce. Except for the inspection process, in which a sampling occurs regarding individual heads that determine if the product meets the USDA minimum requirement standards. But, the receiver or distribution center most likely has higher standards to meet the requirements of the end user, such as your restaurant. If you received lettuce that just met the minimum requirements of USDA standards, you would, in all probability be extremely displeased. Why? Because your restaurant would have too much waste to be tolerated.

[central_va]

This was a top of the line restaurant and the produce was usually perfect.

[Lazamataz]

head lettuce

Hehehh hehheh hehheh heh hehheheheheh

Huhhuh huhhuhuhuh huhuhhuhuhuh Huh huhuhhuh

[dfwgator]

[Joe 6-pack]

Some of the best peaches I’ve ever eaten are from Chambersburg, PA. When I was a student at Gettysburg College, there was a roadside stand right along US30, and I’d buy them by the bushel.

[Parmy]

This was a top of the line restaurant and the produce was usually perfect.

I suspected that was so when I saw the picture that you showed. It indicated that the lettuce you purchased was the best of the best.

That is good because that is what your business required.

But that best came out of a field of mostly imperfect heads of lettuce.

I am sure that if your supplier didn't provide the best that you would have rejected the lettuce and told the supplier that you did not want to see that label again.

And, if the supplier couldn't or wouldn't supply the quality that you required, you would find another supplier.

That is how the produce business works. If I were in your place, I would do the same.

[RegulatorCountry]

Peach trees don’t really flourish even here in northern North Carolina, they need to be babied and don’t bear nearly as much fruit as they do an hour south of here, so I’m surprised that someone has had success growing peaches commercially in PA. Different, more winter-hardy variety of peach?