Today, I realized how many new things I have learned from writing these articles! For instance, I was under the assumption that the tomato is one fruit that can be grown anywhere. This thought was based on the wide variety of world cuisines that all make use of tomatoes. However, apparently there is a general belief that tomatoes grow better in sunny than in places with low sunlight. That is, tomatoes need to be given more sunlight for better quality.

However, researchers from Basque University for Agricultural Research and Development conducted a study that determined that the quality of the tomatoes seems to depend on temperature more than the amount of light.

They evaluated differences in the taste, texture, and nutritional quality among tomatoes grown in average sunlight and 30 to 50% less sunlight than the average (for the Iberian Peninsula). The greenhouse where the study was conducted had no external heating and air currents to ensure uniform temperature. The results determined that the taste, texture, and nutritional quality of plants grown in low sunlight were comparable to plants grown in full sun.

This research suggests that people living in areas of low sunlight may not have to import their tomatoes – cutting down on supply costs.  Further, because of the similar growth patterns between tomatoes, strawberries, watermelons and cucumbers, it’s possible growing other fruits in low light areas maybe possible as well.

Discussion Question: Why would increasing geographic potential of plants be helpful?

News Article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100325131558.htm