According to the expert, the Indian Institute for Horticultural Research has developed 2 tomato hybrids designed exclusively for the processing industry.
These hybrids are Arka Vishesh and Arka Apeksha, which are disease resistant and are expected to not only increase farmers' incomes from higher yields, but will also focus on lower processing costs due to higher total soluble solids (TSS) ) and lycopene.
“For the first time, tomato hybrids were developed for the processing industry,” A.T. Sadashiva, who led a team of scientists from IIHR to work on these hybrids for a five-year period.
According to Sadashiva, farmers can be sure of a minimum increase in yield of 25% to 50 tons / ha., While there is the potential for harvesting up to 100 tons / ha. with precision farming using drip irrigation. Existing hybrids give a minimum yield of 40 tons / ha.
“Higher yields will reduce the cost of growing for farmers. In addition, the new hybrids are resistant to diseases such as the tomato leaf curl virus, bacterial wilting and early rot, which helps farmers reduce the number of plants sprayed, ”he added.
The total soluble solids (TSS) in the new IIHR tomato hybrids is at least 10% higher. In addition, the content of lycopene, a pigment that gives color to tomatoes, is about 25-30% higher than that of existing hybrids. “The industry prefers higher TSS because it reduces energy consumption,” he said.
These varieties, developed on existing lines, are also suitable for mechanized harvesting, said H.S. Oberoi, Head of Technology and Post-Harvest Technology, IIHR. “We hope to launch new hybrids for commercial cultivation by December,” Oberoi said.
