Virus-fighting tomatoes. Validated RNRRS Output.
Abstract
This is one of 280 summaries describing key outputs from the projects run by DFID's 10-year Renewable Natural Resources Research Strategy (RNRRS) programmes.
Principally based on Projects R6627, R7460, R7257, R8247 and R8425. Three new varieties of tomato that are resistant to Tomato leaf curl virus (ToLCV) are boosting Indian farmers' profits up to ten times over and are capturing much commercial interest. Previously, the disease could cause farmers to lose their whole crop, and infection spread rapidly, as the virus is carried by whiteflies. Now, the new varieties 'Sankranthi', 'Nandi' and 'Vybhav' give very high yields and don't need to be sprayed with insecticide. Sixteen seed companies have already used the new varieties to produce hybrid tomatoes—which are being grown by an estimated 55,000 farmers in southern India alone. Seed of the three varieties has reached more than 14 institutes in 13 different countries, and there is continuing global demand, which is being met mainly through the World Vegetable Center.
The CD has the following information for this output: Description, Validation, Current Situation, Environmental Impact. Attached PDF (9 pp.) taken from the CD.
Citation
CPP33, New technologies, new processes, new policies: tried-and-tested and ready-to-use results from DFID-funded research, Research Into Use Programme, Aylesford, Kent, UK, ISBN 978-0-9552595-6-2, p 40.