Scientists boost strawberry flavor and nutrition without changing growth

A surprising genetic twist shows that boosting a seemingly ordinary housekeeping gene can dramatically improve fruit quality without any trade-offs. By increasing the activity of a tRNA-related gene in strawberries, researchers unlocked richer color, stronger aroma, and higher levels of health-boosting compounds like anthocyanins and terpenoids. Even more striking, these enhancements came with zero impact on plant growth, fruit size, or sweetness-avoiding the usual downsides of metabolic tinkeri...