Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, and World Vegetable Center, Taiwan jointly conducted research on “Integrated Pest and Disease Management in Tomato” with financial assistance from Plant Health Initiative. “Tomato Grafting Technology” aims to protect tomato plants from bacterial harm, which is a severe disease during the rainy season. In this, the desired tomato hybrid plants were grafted on disease-resistant brinjal rootstocks. This technology is being implemented in the experimental field of Mettubavi village, Kinathukadavu taluk, Coimbatore district.
The grafted sample is being monitored and evaluated regularly in the above experimental field. The main objective of this scheme is to validate the status of plant protection technologies followed in the three main growth stages of the crop, involving farmers and extension officials. The first two validations of treatment plots were carried out during November and December 2023. The third validation was made on this week.
Dr. M. Shanthi, Director, of the Centre for Plant Protection Studies informed the gathering that tomato cultivation suffers huge yield loss during the rainy season due to bacterial wilt. The application of fungicides will not give the desired results apart from increasing the plant protection cost.
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Jamunadevi, Kinathukadavu Block Assistant Horticultural Officer, explained the different schemes implemented by the department for the farmer’s welfare. She emphasized that the department works in partnership with the University in disseminating newer technologies to the farming community. The pest management technologies implemented in the experimental fields and their implications on plant health was narrated by Dr. M. Murugan, Professor & Head, of and Department of Agricultural Entomology. Dr. N. Manikanda Boopathi, Professor (Plant Biotechnology) explained about the importance of biotechnological interventions in Integrated Pest Management. The increasing nematode issues in horticultural crops and their management were discussed by Dr. N. Seenivasan, Professor of nematology).
The results of the previous two validations were elaborated by Dr. P.S. Shanmugam, Associate Professor (Agricultural Entomology). The experiment participatory farmer Mr. Rajkumar shared his experience with the participating farmers. Critical input Bacillus subtilis (a gram which enhances plant growth and protects plants and soil) was distributed to the participating farmers during the program. About 45 farmers and 10 extension officials participated in and evaluated the program
