Unveiling genetic diversity and consumer preferences of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in the semi-arid regions

Tomato is one of world's most important vegetable crops, valued for its nutritional, economic, and commercial significance. The consumer acceptance is determined by combination of external attributes, like fruit size, shape, and colour, while internal quality traits, include flavour, texture, and nutritional composition. These preferences are influenced by individual sensory perception and previous consumption experiences. The effective exploitation of genetic diversity is fundamental to improvement of tomato, as it provides genetic variation needed for developing cultivars with superior quality and stress tolerance. Molecular marker technologies, particularly marker-assisted selection (MAS), are now indispensable tools for assessing genetic diversity, accelerating selection of desirable traits, and improving breeding efficiency. In addition, advanced biotechnological approaches, like transgenic technologies and CRISPR–Cas9 genome editing, have expanded opportunities for developing tomato cultivars with improved tolerance to drought and heat stress. While transgenic approaches introduce beneficial genes from external sources, CRISPR–Cas9 allow precise modification of endogenous genes without incorporating foreign DNA. This review examines application of molecular markers in evaluating tomato genetic diversity, discusses genetic and sensory factors influencing consumer preferences, and highlights recent advances in molecular breeding and genome editing for improving climate resilience. It also outlines implications of these technologies for developing resilient tomato cultivars and supporting sustainable production in semi-arid regions.