As part of our continued efforts to enhance crop resilience and productivity, the Tomato Breeding Program at ARDC Bajo is currently underway with a focus on developing improved tomato varieties suited to local conditions.
The main objectives of the program are to develop resistance to major tomato diseases—namely Fusarium wilt, Verticillium wilt, and Black rot—and to increase overall fruit yield. For this purpose, two parent lines were selected: Roma as the female parent, known for its resistance to Fusarium and Verticillium wilts, and RTTO as the male parent, which shows broad resistance to pests and diseases, especially Black rot.
The breeding trial began with transplanting on 28 April 2025, followed by cross-pollination on 10 June 2025. The first harvest was conducted on 22 July 2025, during which three fruits were harvested from ten pollinated flowers.
This initiative marks a significant step toward developing disease-resistant and high-yielding tomato varieties, contributing to the long-term goal of ensuring sustainable and productive vegetable cultivation in the region.
For more information please contact
- Arjun Kumar Ghallay (lead researcher) through email akghallay@moal.gov.bt
- Jigme Lhamo through email jigmelhawang56@gmail.com
- Dechen Zangmo through email dechen1777@gmail.com