In Munduberra, located two hours west of Bundaberg, Troy Emmerson cultivates approximately seven fruit varieties, including a completely seedless lemon crop. Emmerson believes that seedless fruit represents a modern preference among consumers. Despite some exported mandarins containing seeds, the trend is towards low-seeded or seedless varieties. He anticipates that seedy citrus will eventually disappear from Australian supermarkets.
According to Professor Robert Henry from the University of Queensland, seedless varieties are increasingly dominant in the consumer market, thanks to advances in genetic breeding technology. This technology allows for the production of seedless produce through cuttings from the original tree, making seeds redundant. Henry notes that this approach is not only feasible for citrus but could be applied across a broad range of fruits and vegetables. The development of seedless breeding technology continues to advance, becoming more cost-effective through collaboration between scientists, growers, and breeders.
Ebony Faichney, managing director of Farmour, points out that while seedless produce is popular among consumers, the economic incentives for growers are not yet sufficient. The challenges associated with growing seedless varieties, including tree management, annual crop harvesting, and yield achievement, remain significant barriers.
Source: abc.net.au