Lark Seeds Next-Generation Hybrids fight Broomrape and Fruit Softening

Lark Seeds International Unveils Next-Generation Processing Tomato Hybrids Tackling Broomrape and Fruit Softening to Elevate California Yields

Woodland, Calif. — October 2025 — Lark Seeds International today unveiled new generation of processing-tomato hybrids (Patent Pending) developed to help California growers increase yield by overcoming two of their most persistent challenges: branched broomrape (Phelipanche/Orobanche spp.); a destructive parasitic weed, and fruit softening that shortens the harvest window and increases losses due to fruit rotting/cracking.

California produces over 90% of the nation’s processed tomatoes—an industry valued at $1.64 billion—yet growers continue to battle broomrape infestations and quality declines, particularly when extreme heat or other weather related-conditions, delay field access and extend harvest timing.

Lark’s new hybrids combine broomrape resistance/tolerance with extended fruit firmness, reducing reliance on chemical inputs while maintaining key processor metrics (°Brix, viscosity, pH, and color).  The broomrape resistance trait was developed by modulating root-exuded signaling molecules that trigger broomrape seed germination.  Also, while targeted edits to cell-wall–modifying enzymes slow softening and improve tolerance to pathogens under heat or harvest delays.

Both traits are introduced through Lark’s proprietary New Breeding Technology platform for Solanaceae crops (a DNA-free CRISPR/RNP editing approach).  Unlike the conventional Agrobacterium/ plasmid methods, this transient protein–RNA complex used for editing, degrades naturally as cells divide, leaving no foreign DNA in the final product. This non-transgenic, mutagenesis-equivalent approach aligns with current U.S. and Canadian regulatory frameworks and enables a rapid 2–4-year discovery-to-market timeline.

In 2025 internal evaluations, the new tomato lines maintained marketable firmness for up to 50 additional days at room temperature and showed approximately 25% lower water loss compared to standard checks.

“We’re combining broomrape resistance and postharvest resilience in a clean, sustainable genetic package through our ‘Advantage(A⁺)’ product lines,” said Vassilis Aivazis, CEO of Lark Seeds International. “This gives growers greater harvest flexibility and improved processor returns while reducing the environmental impact.”

Next Steps:

Lark Seeds will begin internal and UC Davis Cooperative Extension field trials in 2026, with a commercial launch targeted for 2027.