Some wild things are happening in the realm of home gardens this year. Breakthrough breeding via genetic engineering is bringing two first-of-their-kind plants into the hands of average folks. A new purple tomato and a bioluminescent petunia could be coming to a yard near you!
The Purple Tomato is the first-ever GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) seed offered to home gardeners. The variety produces purple, cherry-sized fruits on indeterminate plants. It has some genes from a snapdragon that enable a purple skin and flesh color to develop. These purple colors are due to a concentration of anthocyanins, the natural plant pigments found in blueberries. This colorful chemical is an antioxidant, and Norfolk Healthy Produce developed this tomato variety with enhanced nutrition in mind.
The purple tomato seed is available for purchase via the Norfolk Healthy Produce website. Buyers must agree they will not sell the fruit, seed, plants, or derived varieties. Growers can save their own seed from this variety to grow in subsequent seasons for personal use.
The Purple Tomato has unusual purple flesh.
Photo credit: Norfolk Healthy Produce
Before this very recent GMO purple tomato seed became available to home gardeners, there was never the potential for purchasing GMO seed in a retail packet. Of course, seed companies often would tout their seed as GMO-free as part of their marketing, even though it was not even in the realm of possibility. Since consumers are already primed to seek out GMO-free seed, it will be very interesting to see how this new development, and any that might come after it, will be received by the general public.
Like something from the movie Avatar, the Firefly Petunia is coming to market with genes from a bioluminescent mushroom. Light Bio, the breeder, describes the light emitted from this new white-flowered petunia as similar to the soft glow of moonlight. The new flower buds glow the brightest and are best observed on a moonless night. I unboxed my newly-shipped plant and took it to the closet for a glowing glamor shot.
The Firefly Petunia has pale white blooms.
Stephanie Turner, ©2024, Clemson Extension
The bioluminescent quality of the Firefly Petunia is most prominent in low-light conditions.
Stephanie Turner, ©2024, Clemson Extension
Both novel introductions went through USDA for approval before release, and the FDA has cleared the sale of Purple Tomato seed. Neither of these releases requires special growing conditions that differ from those of their conventional counterparts. For more information about growing petunias and tomatoes, see HGIC 1171, Petunias and HGIC 1323, Tomato. Will you boldly go where no garden has gone before and try growing one?
