Genetically Modified Foods: Italy develops drought-resistant tomato
This is an excerpt from a great article about genetically modified foods that was posted at United Press International.
ROME, May. 1 (UPI) -- Italian scientists have developed a tomato that can thrive on less than one-quarter of the water common varieties need.
The tomatoes are grown without soil in a solution of water and nutrients, Massimo Iannetta of the ENEA Research Institute told the Italian news agency Ansa. Each plant needs about four gallons of water, compared to 18.5 gallons for a conventionally grown tomato.
ENEA is developing drought-resistant strains of other types of plants, including potatoes and wheat. The institute has just completed a test in the Mexican desert.
"We tried growing selected varieties of cereals and vegetables, and the results were excellent," he said....
...Genetically engineered plants cannot be sold or grown legally in Italy, although the institute is experimenting with some grown in the laboratory.
Full article at United Press International.
