Pairwise, a company creating genetics-based solutions in food and agriculture, says it has developed the world’s first seedless blackberry.
Created using the company’s proprietary Fulcrum Platform, a suite of tools for CRISPR application in plants, this is the first time seedlessness has been achieved in any caneberry, according to the company.
“Pairwise scientists have used their deep knowledge of plant genetics, broad suite of CRISPR tools, and multiplex editing techniques to eliminate the hard pits in berry fruit, creating soft, small seeds like those found in grapes and watermelon that are commonly labeled as seedless,” Ryan Bartlett, Pairwise chief technology officer, said in a news release. “We expect that this trait will not only transform the blackberry market, but it also lays the groundwork for accelerated progress in removing seeds and pits in many other fruits such as cherries.”
The company said its data shows more than 30% of berry buyers do not like seeds, and this technology will help introduce more consumers to blackberries and its health benefits.
“The berry variety we edited is consistently sweet year-round and holds up well during shipment; now, consumers will have the option to choose a nutritious blackberry without seeds that also reliably delivers great flavor and quality,” said Haven Baker, Pairwise co-founder and chief business officer.
Pairwise said it also edited the same variety to create a more compact and thornless plant which will help harvesters and growers through more efficient harvesting and improved productivity. The compact nature of the plants means growers can create a more high-density berry patch, the release said.
“The absence of thorns and reduced height of the compact plants allow berry harvesters to better access the fruit and leave less on the plant, reducing food waste and further improving the growers’ economics,” Baker said. “With the precision of CRISPR, we’re able to develop these thornless and compact traits without sacrificing consistency in flavor and quality for consumers.”
The company said it plans outdoor field trials as it works toward a commercial release in the next few years.
“A key challenge in our food system is helping people eat more high-quality, healthy foods. As part of our drive to increase the consumption of fruit and vegetables, we’re working to provide consumers with new, highly nutritious food options with improved flavor and convenience,” said Tom Adams, Pairwise co-founder and CEO.
