Core Viewpoint - A silent "fruit extinction" is occurring globally, with over 75% of crop genetic diversity lost in the past century, and two-thirds of current crop yields dominated by just nine crops, leading to a crisis in agricultural diversity [1][2]. Group 1: Loss of Crop Diversity - The loss of crop varieties is not just a culinary issue but a critical threat to future food security, as these varieties serve as genetic reservoirs [2][3]. - A study published in 2022 indicated that nearly 40% of 883 assessed wild fruits and vegetables require urgent protection to avoid extinction [3]. Group 2: Standardization of Fruit Varieties - In North America, 90% of traditional apple varieties have disappeared over the past century, equating to one unique apple flavor lost every week [4]. - The modern agricultural focus on standardization and efficiency has led to a significant reduction in fruit diversity, with each lost seed potentially removing unique traits for disease resistance and climate adaptation [5][6]. Group 3: Factors Driving Uniformity - The rise of the fruit consumption market, particularly e-commerce, has driven the standardization of fruit varieties, with market demand becoming a core pressure on fruit selection [9][10]. - The commercial fruit industry has shifted towards a factory-like model, prioritizing size, sweetness, and transportability, which has led to a dominance of a few varieties like Fuji apples [10][11]. Group 4: Emergence of Functional Fruits - As living standards rise, there is an increasing demand for functional fruits such as plums, avocados, and blueberries, which focus on specific health benefits [13][14]. - The focus on these functional fruits has further squeezed the space for traditional varieties, leading to a decline in biodiversity [14]. Group 5: Conservation Efforts - The urgency to protect fruit genetic diversity is highlighted by the story of the Cavendish banana, which replaced the nearly extinct Gros Michel variety due to disease threats [15]. - Positive developments include the establishment of the National Horticultural Germplasm Resource Bank in China, which preserves a significant amount of fruit genetic resources [16][17]. - Another initiative is the National Tropical Plant Germplasm Resource Bank, which focuses on tropical crops, preserving over 26,000 samples [18].