For more than four decades, Ye Zhibiao, a professor at Huazhong Agricultural University (HZAU), has devoted himself to breeding tomatoes, helping to develop high-quality varieties and training young researchers in the seed industry.

Ye began working on tomatoes in 1985. At that time, China imported large quantities of high-end tomato seeds, and rising seed prices put pressure on farmers. Ye said the country could not afford to have core seed resources controlled by other parties.

Breeding is a time-consuming and challenging process. Ye and his team spent years observing plants in the field, collecting data, and improving varieties. Moving beyond traditional crossbreeding, the team developed molecular breeding tools that help researchers identify useful traits more quickly and accurately.

The team developed high-density tomato breeding chips and associated testing systems that improve selection efficiency and shorten the breeding cycle. They also identified key genes for tomato flavor, color, nutrition, and disease resistance, providing targets for more precise breeding.

These efforts have led to new varieties such as Beiweimei. They have been promoted across major production areas, including the provinces of Shandong, Henan, and Gansu, covering more than 200,000 hectares and generating over 7 billion yuan ($975 million) in new output value.

In Shouguang, Shandong, growers said the new varieties have stronger disease resistance, require fewer pesticides, and produce higher incomes.

Ye has also trained many students who now work in research institutes, companies, and agricultural services. He said breeding such vegetables is a lifelong mission and his team will continue to develop improved seeds for China and the world.

Professor Ye Zhibiao checks the growth of tomato plants in a breeding greenhouse. [Photo/new.hzau.edu.cn]