Tomato is one of the most cultivated and valued vegetable crops globally. Despite overall growth in production, average yield is low in India at around 20 tons/hectare (ha), compared to the world average of 33 tons/ha and China at about 48 tons/ha.
Diseases are one of the major challenges in tomato cultivation globally and in India. There are no control measures after disease outbreak for diseases caused by viruses. Major crop losses are caused by TOSPO (GBNV) virus, Ty Virus, Bacterial Wilt, Early Blight etc. Tierra’s focus is to introduce products that are resistant / tolerant to these diseases and also with heat tolerance, long shelf life & transportability.
Content for Breakthrough Technology Pipeline
TOSPO – An established Threat: TOSPO (GBNV) is one of the most destructive diseases in Tomato in South Asia and South East Asia. It infects the plant from early to late stages and causes yield and quality losses ranging from 50% to 80% due to plant death and/or fruits becoming unfit for marketing. No hybrid or variety with tolerance to TOSPO (GBNV) virus has been commercialized till date in South Asia and South East Asia. Tierra plans to launch TOSPO tolerant hybrids by 2020
Besides developing products with tolerance to TyLCV, Bacterial Wilt, Early Blight, Heat Tolerance, Firmness etc., Tierra is also working on fruit quality traits like better taste, high aroma, different colour and shape etc.
