(18-10-14) High antioxidant raspberries breed by researchers to be grown without agricultural chemicals

by David Gutierrez, staff writer

(NaturalNews) European researchers have used traditional breeding techniques
to develop a new variety of raspberry that is extra high in antioxidants and is
grown without pesticides or synthetic fertilizers.

The researchers focused on developing a variety that, in addition to being
tasty, nutritious and grown without dangerous chemicals, would also be
commercially viable.

Scientists now believe that antioxidants -- which protect the body from
potentially damaging free radical compounds that are produced as a side effect
of metabolism -- are responsible for many of the health benefits of fresh
fruits and vegetables.

Industrial techniques destroy nutrition
Yet, Gerard Brugal, coordinator of the European Union-funded QualiRedFruits
program that led to the new raspberry variety, notes that current trends in red
fruit production have actually been breeding plants with lower and lower
antioxidant content. Modern agricultural techniques also use more toxic
chemicals than ever before but also produce fruit that tastes worse.

Brugal notes that, in recent decades, breeders have focused on producing fruit
with traits that are most beneficial for farmers and supermarkets, such as ease
of harvesting, firmness (for shipping), long life, large size and attractive
appearance. By focusing on traits that are at best unrelated to flavor or
antioxidant content -- or sometimes even directly in conflict with these
characteristics -- such breeding has actually reduced the flavor and
antioxidant content of fruits.

In addition, fruit producers have increased their use of artificial
fertilizers and pesticides such as insecticides, herbicides and fungicides. Yet
antioxidants are typically produced by plants as defense mechanisms against
environmental stress. When fertilizers and pesticides remove all sources of
stress from the plant, the plants do not bother to synthesize much in the way
of antioxidants.

Indeed, numerous studies have confirmed that organic fruits and vegetables are
significantly higher in antioxidants than produce grown using more chemicals.
Most recently, an international research team funded by the European Union and
the Sheepdrove Trust published a study in the British Journal of Nutrition
showing that organic fruits and vegetables were 19 to 69 percent higher in
antioxidants than "conventionally grown" produce. The study was the largest
meta-analysis ever conducted on the difference between organic and conventional
produce and grains, comparing the results of 343 separate peer-reviewed
studies.

Flavorful, healthful variety grown without chemicals
In order to counter the current destructive trends in fruit breeding, the
QualiRedFruits researchers analyzed 100 different varieties of wild and
domestic raspberry, evaluating them for desirable traits such as high
antioxidant content, good flavor, high average yield and natural resistance to
fungal disease (the major disease group that affects raspberry production).

"Raspberry is a high-value crop due to its unique flavour, and there is
increasing competition between production areas worldwide," Brugal said.

In order to maximize the favorable traits, the researchers used conventional
breeding techniques (not genetic engineering) to hybridize 37 of the 100
varieties they studied. The resulting cultivar then had its roots treated with
a cocktail of fungi and bacteria in order to boost its natural immunity and was
also treated with substances called elicitors, which activate natural processes
within the plant. The plants were then grown without the use of pesticides
(including fungicides) or synthetic fertilizers.

"We now expect to see new varieties of nice looking, tasty and healthy
raspberry moving from research to the market in just a few short years," Brugal
said. "They will be certified as free from noxious chemicals and produced
according to environmentally friendly agricultural practices."

Brugal expects consumer demand to lead to even more healthy raspberry
varieties.

"Today in the EU, about 100 000 [metric tons] of raspberries are sold on the
regular market every year... based on only 20 of the 200 raspberry varieties
registered in plant collections," he said. "It is likely that half of these
varieties will be replaced within the next decade."

Sources:

http://ec.europa.eu

http://www.naturalnews.com

http://www.naturalnews.com

http://www.naturalnews.com

http://science.naturalnews.com

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