Bayer’s vegetable seed segment is launching its first wave of ToBRFV-resistant tomatoes this year, encompassing a range of types and varieties
It has been a busy year at Bayer Crop Science’s vegetable seeds division.
In the tomato segment it is running full steam ahead, launching ToBRFV-resistant tomato varieties, driving pipeline breeding processes, supporting growers and factoring in breeding and selection for sustainable production into its targets.
This is all while responding to climate volatility and safeguarding scarce resources along the food value chain.
When it comes to ToBRFV, Bayer has taken the time to do things properly, according to Anne Williams, head of protected, vegetable seeds.
“Rather than rush in to bring low-grade single gene resistance or single gene high resistance with poor fruit quality, we’ve taken a little longer to build stronger and protect both growers’ livelihoods as well as consumer demand,” she outlines.
Bayer’s multi-gene resistance stacks are launching across a range of tomato types and varieties this year, bringing durable resistance to anticipate future adaptations by the ToBRFV virus.
Tested across Bayer’s multi-environment, multi-season, multinational and multi-virus inoculated and background infection long cycle crop trials series, Williams says growers can enjoy the confidence of producing these varieties.
At the same time, Bayer has been protecting fruit quality and taste to ensure that consumers continue to enjoy the taste they choose tomatoes for, with every ToBRFV-resistant variety launched taste-checked through Bayer’s consumer R&D panels. And there are several exciting prospects on the horizon.
This is an extract from an article in the upcoming Fresh Focus Tomato special, produced ahead of the Global Tomato Congress, which takes place on 14-15 May at the Fokker Terminal, The Hague
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