Indian agric university announces grafting technology to protect tomato crops

INDIA – Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) has introduced grafting technology to help tomato farmers protect their crops from bacterial wilt.

The demonstration, held at a field in Sattakkalputhur, Kinathukadavu block, was part of an ongoing effort to promote integrated pest and disease management practices.

The project was conducted in collaboration with the World Vegetable Center, Taiwan, under the ‘Integrated Pest and Disease Management in Tomato and Lablab Bean’ initiative.

Funded by the Plant Health Initiative, the research led to the development of tomato grafting technology using disease-resistant brinjal rootstocks.

Shanthi, Director of the Centre for Plant Protection Studies at TNAU, explained that bacterial wilt often appears in tomato crops during the rainy season, usually at an advanced stage when treatment options are limited.

“Farmers mostly notice bacterial wilt in tomato crops during the rainy season at an advanced stage of infection when the application of fungicides only adds to the expenses and does not yield the anticipated outcomes,” she said.

The use of grafted plants minimizes reliance on chemical treatments and provides additional protection against root-knot nematodes, according to Professor Shanthi.

India is the world’s second-largest producer of tomatoes, contributing approximately 11% to global production. The country’s tomato processing market reached USD 1,400.2 million in 2024.

A significant portion of tomatoes is consumed fresh, while the rest are processed into products like tomato paste, juice, sauce, and ketchup.

The top tomato-producing states include Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, and Odisha. In the 2023-24 season, Madhya Pradesh alone accounted for 16.4% of India’s total production, producing 3,498.26 kilotonnes of tomatoes.

Support for tomato farmers amid price drop

Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh government has reassured tomato farmers that necessary measures are being taken to ensure they receive a fair price despite the recent drop in prices.

Transport Minister M. Ramprasad Reddy stated that Agriculture Minister K. Atchannaidu had directed District Collectors to provide adequate support.

The government has also decided to transport tomatoes from Annamayya and Chittoor districts to Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh, where supply is lower.

Under the Central government’s market intervention scheme, transportation costs will be covered to maintain a support price of ₹10 (approximately USD 0.12) to ₹15 (approximately USD 0.18) per kilogram.

District Collector C. Sridhar has instructed the Horticulture and Marketing departments to submit reports on crop conditions and the issues faced by farmers.

The most recent round of 78 tonnes of tomatoes arrived at the Madanapalle market. The first grade was sold at ₹12 (approximately USD 0.14) per kilogram, while the second grade fetched ₹9 (approximately USD 0.11) per kilogram. Authorities hope these efforts will provide relief to farmers and stabilize the market.

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