International Workshop on Global Tomato Breeding Held at Telangana Horticultural University
Hyderabad, March 5, 2025: An international workshop on unlocking advances and applications in global tomato breeding was organized at Sri Konda Laxman Telangana Horticultural University (SKLTHU) in Hyderabad. The workshop focused on the development of high-yielding, climate-resilient, and disease-resistant tomato varieties, with special emphasis on tackling viral diseases, pest infestations, and challenges posed by rising temperatures.
Need for Advanced Tomato Varieties in Telangana
Speaking at the event, Vice Chancellor Dr. Danda Raji Reddy, who attended as the chief guest, highlighted the need for tomato hybrid varieties suitable for processing industries to enhance export opportunities and increase farmers’ incomes. He stressed the importance of breeding tomato varieties resistant to major threats, including:
- Tomato pinworm (Tuta absoluta): A destructive pest that significantly reduces yields during the summer.
- Yellow Leaf Curl Virus (TYLCV): A viral disease that stunts plant growth and reduces fruit production.
- High temperatures: The need for heat-tolerant hybrids that can thrive even when temperatures exceed 42°C was emphasized.
“To achieve higher productivity on limited land, hybrid varieties are the only viable solution. Research on speed breeding, biotechnology, and hybrid variety development is being accelerated at SKLTHU. Our goal is to make advanced hybrid tomato varieties available to farmers within the next two years,” Dr. Raji Reddy assured.
Global Innovations in Tomato Breeding
Dr. Asaf Eybishitz, Senior Scientist of Tomato Breeding at the World Vegetable Center in Taiwan, delivered a keynote address on innovations in global tomato development. He shared that new genes capable of resisting pests, viruses, and extreme temperatures had already been identified and incorporated into advanced tomato hybrids. These varieties will soon be available to farmers worldwide, including in India.
Dr. Eybishitz noted that tomato growers in Telangana are experiencing significant losses due to viral diseases, tomato pinworm infestations, and early blight. He assured that the World Vegetable Research Institute has developed resilient tomato varieties and will soon introduce them to farmers.
“Many tomato farmers in Telangana are facing yield and quality losses due to diseases and pests. The latest research in tomato breeding can offer long-term solutions. Our newly developed varieties will provide resistance to these challenges and improve productivity,” he stated.
Field Visits and Farmer Interactions
As part of the workshop, Dr. Eybishitz and a team of scientists visited tomato fields in Shamshabad and surrounding mandals to interact with farmers and assess the real-time challenges they face. Farmers explained their struggles with low yields, pest attacks, and unpredictable weather conditions. The visiting experts took note of these issues and discussed possible solutions through biotech-assisted breeding and hybrid seed development.
Research and Future Roadmap
Dr. Pidigam Saidaiah, Associate Professor and General Secretary of the conference, presented an overview of the research conducted so far. He outlined the tomato varieties most suitable for profitable cultivation in Telangana and India, detailing key research findings from SKLTHU’s ongoing studies.
Participation from Leading Agricultural Experts
The event saw participation from leading agricultural scientists, researchers, and policymakers in the field of horticulture. Key attendees included:
- Dr. Rajasekhar – Dean, SKLTHU
- Dr. Lakshminarayana – Research Director, SKLTHU
- Dr. Seenivasan – Director of International Programs, SKLTHU
- Dr. P. Prashanth – Associate Dean, Rajendranagar Horticulture College
- Dr. Pidigam Saidaiah – Associate Dean, Mojerla Horticultural College
- Dr. Y. Srinivas Reddy – Scientific Officer, World Vegetable Center
- University scientists, professors, and research students
Impact of the Workshop
This international workshop paved the way for future collaborations between Telangana’s horticulture sector and global agricultural research institutes. Experts believe that advancements in tomato breeding will play a crucial role in ensuring stable prices, higher farmer incomes, and reduced shortages in Telangana and across India.
By integrating biotechnology, precision breeding, and climate-adaptive research, SKLTHU aims to position Telangana as a hub for advanced horticulture in the coming years.
