Genetic frontiers in tomato breeding: Overcoming heat stress for sustainable yield

Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) are a vital global crop, valued for their nutrition and culinary uses. However, rising heatwaves from climate change threaten tomato production, making it critical to enhance heat tolerance for food security and sustainable agriculture. This review highlights strategies to improve tomato resilience to high temperatures. Traditional breeding focuses on traits like deeper roots, smaller leaves and thicker cuticles, which enhance heat tolerance, supported by Marker-Assisted Selection (MAS) to identify and incorporate heat-tolerant genes. Genetic engineering introduces genes like those for Heat Shock Proteins (HSPs), boosting plant resilience. Understanding physiological and biochemical responses to heat stress enables targeted measures, such as applying osmoprotectants and plant hormones, to mitigate damage. Agronomic practices, including adjusted planting schedules, shading, optimized irrigation and soil enhancement, create favorable conditions under heat stress. Precision agriculture technologies provide real-time monitoring, enabling timely interventions. Beneficial microorganisms like plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria and mycorrhizal fungi enhance nutrient uptake, water retention and overall plant health, further improving heat tolerance. A multidisciplinary approach combining traditional breeding, genetic engineering, physiological insights, agronomic methods and technological innovations is essential to develop heat-resilient tomato varieties. These integrated strategies ensure sustainable agricultural practices, enhance crop resilience and safeguard global food security in the face of climate change.