The research project for control the whitefly and geminivirus associated with tomato crops was adopted in 2008 by the Foundation for Research and Support of the Federal District (FAP-DF), strain the limits of the Federal District and includes the states of Goias and Sao Paulo in the works already developed. The Vegetables researcher (BSB) and project coordinator, Alice Nagata, explains: "By limiting the Ontario region, the characteristics of the emergence of whitefly and geminiviruses are restricted, the project runs the risk of losing their national importance," says the researcher.
With completion scheduled for late 2010, the project has been negotiated to ensure its continuity, with the support of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply, the processing industries, the producing plants, tomato growers and technical assistance agencies of the Federal District and Goiás "Given the need to broaden the scope of the pest control of whitefly and geminivirus, and how important it is to grow tomatoes is not enough two years to complete the work according to the researcher. "
In process, the research seeks to understand the relationship between the prescence of whiteflies and geminiviruses in tomato plants affected, and from there start the develop of a technical data that can support the specific rules to help in the damage reduction caused by the geminivirus. It should be noted that due to its high circulation, the disease caused by the geminivirus is considered the most important of the virus that affects tomatoes today. The geminiviruses are a major tomato phytosanitary problem realted with virulence of the diseases caused by viruses and the diversity of species found in tomato plants.
Another issue, also related to the tomato crop has been discussed by the researcher. Alice Nagata seeks information on supply and demand for production of the marketing of fresh tomatoes, not covered in the Federal District. "We need this information from the major supermarket chains and retailers, who may pass the data to buy, sell and source of the tomatoes," says the researcher. She said the initiative aims to meet the growing systems of information on the current demand for vegetables and how much should be produced to meet the region. The role of business networks tomato in the Federal District is essential to obtain accurate data and the researcher hopes to have the support of everyone involved in this chain
www.embrapa.br - 25 January 2010 |