How Many Genes in a Tomato?

Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) have approximately 35,000 genes. This was revealed through the sequencing of the tomato genome, which was completed in 2012 by an international group of researchers known as the Tomato Genome Consortium. The study involved sequencing the genome of the domesticated tomato and a wild variety to better understand the genetic makeup of the plant.

Interestingly, this gene count is similar to that of humans, who have around 20,000-25,000 genes, even though tomatoes are much simpler organisms. This large number of genes in tomatoes is largely due to gene duplications and the complexity of plant biology, including their adaptability to environmental stressors and their diverse traits like fruit size, colour, and flavour.