INDIA – The Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) has demonstrated an effective method to tackle bacterial diseases in tomato crops.
The event, held at Sattakkalputhur in the Kinathukadavu block, showcased grafting technology and emphasized integrated pest and disease management practices.
This demonstration is part of a collaborative research initiative between TNAU and the World Vegetable Center (WorldVeg), Taiwan.
The project, titled “Integrated Pest and Disease Management in Tomato and Lablab Bean,” received financial backing from the Plant Health Initiative.
Researchers have refined a technique known as tomato grafting, which uses disease-resistant brinjal rootstocks to safeguard plants against bacterial wilt and root-knot nematodes.
“Farmers often detect bacterial wilt in tomato crops during the rainy season, usually when the infection has progressed too far,” said M. Shanthi, Director of the Centre for Plant Protection Studies at TNAU.
“At that stage, applying fungicides only increases costs without delivering the expected results. Tomato grafting technology offers a more efficient solution with minimal external inputs.”
The disease-resistant brinjal rootstock is particularly effective in managing bacterial wilt and nematodes, reducing the need for expensive and often ineffective chemical treatments.
This development aligns with India’s ongoing efforts to enhance agricultural productivity while addressing long-standing crop health challenges.
India remains a global leader in tomato production, with output reaching approximately 21.723 million metric tons in 2024.
States like Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, and Odisha spearhead production efforts, contributing significantly to both domestic consumption and export growth. Tomatoes are a staple in Indian households, finding use in everything from soups to chutneys.
The grafting technology’s successful implementation could further boost India’s agricultural standing.
It has the potential to mitigate the effects of diseases that have previously led to substantial crop losses. This innovation may also enhance farmers’ incomes by reducing the reliance on costly chemical inputs.
Despite technological advancements, food safety issues in the tomato sector remain a concern. From January 1, 2023, to November 5, 2024, a multi-country outbreak of Salmonella Strathcona ST2559 affected 232 people across 16 EU/EEA countries and the UK. The outbreak was linked to small tomatoes from Sicily, Italy.
While the outbreak does not involve Indian tomatoes, it highlights the importance of maintaining strict food safety measures. Enhanced disease management techniques, like the ones demonstrated by TNAU, may help mitigate risks in the supply chain.
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