Chiang Mai, Thailand
6 February 2013
World leading tomato experts from Europe and America, meet in Chiang Mai to discuss the latest in tomato breeding technology at the 44th Tomato Breeder’s Roundtable Forum, hosted by East West Seed
For the first time since 1955, the ‘International Tomato Breeder’s Roundtable’ (TBRT) is held in Asia, with a total of 90 world-recognized tomato breeders and plant scientists from Europe and America and over 50 plant scientists and geneticists from Thailand, gathering in Chiang Mai to attend the 44th Tomato Breeder’s Roundtable Forum held from 6-8 February 2013.
The Tomato Breeder’s Roundtable started as an informal meeting of tomato breeders in the USA. Over the past five decades the TBRT has become an important meeting for the tomato researchers and breeders from public institutions and industry across the world. The informal characteristics of the TBRT which has been preserved over five decades, offers a great forum for participants to discuss the latest developments in tomato breeding and associated breeding technology. Today, it is one of the world’s most recognized forum for the leading researchers, scientists in genetics and genomics and highly regarded tomato breeders to meet, update and exchange new knowledge and new technology.
The discussions focus on the development of improved tomato varieties that have stronger resistance against diseases and pests, resulting higher yields and contributing to better food nutrition for the increasing world population. The meeting was formally opened by the Minister of Science and Technology, Mr. Woravat Auapinyakul.
High-profile presenters include Dr. Jay Scott, professor of horticulture from the University of Florida, to present current approaches for developing bacterial spot resistant tomato cultivars. Dr. Scott is a known figure in the US for tomato breeding, and much of his recent work has involved the discovery of molecular markers linked to disease resistance genes.
Other presenters include Dr. David Francis (Ohio State University, USA) to present on Population Level Analysis to Move from Massive Sequence Data Sets to Application; Dr. Richard Finkers (Wageningen University, Netherlands) to present the 150+ Tomato Genome (re-)Sequence Project; Dr. Douglas Maxwell (University of Wisconsin, USA) on the Application of Next Generation Sequencing of a Begomovirus-Resistant Inbred to Design a KASPar® Assay for SNP Detection of the Ty1-Ty3 Region; Dr. Moshe Lapidot (Volcani Institute, Israel) on Pelargonium zonate spot virus Transmitted via Seed and Pollen in Tomato; Dr. Varagur Ganesan Malathi (Indian Agricultural Research Institute) on Biology and Pathogenesis of Whitefly Transmitted Begomoviruses; Dr. Peter Hanson (Asian Vegetable Research and Development Center) on Recent Progress in Mapping Begomovirus Resistance and Marker-Assisted Selection for Bacterial Wilt Resistance in Tomato; and others.
Thai presenters include Dr. Julapark Chunwongse (Kasetsart University) on Molecular Marker Application for Tomato Improvement in Thailand), and Dr. Channarong Seepiban (Kasetsart University) on Survey of Thrips Species and Plant-Infecting Tospoviruses in Tomato, Pepper and Cucurbit Production Fields in Thailand.
The TBRT is hosted by East West Seed, the market leader for tropical vegetable seeds in Asia.
“East-West Seed is one of Asia’s leading vegetable seed companies, distributing high quality seeds to over 60 countries worldwide. This year is the 30th anniversary of
East-West Seed in Thailand, and during this time we have helped to revolutionize Southeast Asia’s vegetable seed market by pioneering localized hybrids and introducing varieties that allow farmers to be more productive. Innovation is the core of East-West Seed’s growth over the last three decades,” said Mr. Simon Jan De Hoop, the company’s vice president for research and development.
The company develops and produces vegetable seeds with higher yields, better tolerance to disease and pests, longer shelf life, extended growing seasons and better eating quality.
These qualities have made vegetable farming a sustainable, high-value enterprise for thousands of Thai farms.
A high-potential crop
Globally, tomato is grown over 4.7 million hectares of land, producing about 160 million tons of fresh tomatoes, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (UN-FAO). Of this, one third is processed into tomato products like paste and sauces. The international trade of these tomato products alone exceeds $ 5.5 Bn annually.
Asia is the biggest producer of tomato in the world, with more than half of global production based here.
In Thailand, the land area devoted to commercial production of tomatoes has grown sharply since 2009. In 2010, almost 13,000 hectares was planted to tomato (UN-FAO). North and Northeast are the most important areas for tomato production in Thailand. The country produced 175,737 tons of tomatoes (based on 2010 figures). There is an estimated 13,000 to 26,000 Thai farmers planting tomatoes.
Aside from fresh tomato production, the production of tomato seed for export is even more significant for Thailand. In 2011, Thailand exported 53 tons of tomato seeds, valued at THB 561.6 million according to the Thailand Seed Trade Association.
“Thailand holds a key position as a high quality hybrid seed producer, has good infrastructure and is a conducive business environment for research companies,” said Mr. de Hoop. This is why Thailand is important as an R&D and innovation base
for East-West Seed.”
“Our breeding programs for tomato are focused on better fruit quality, higher yield, and development of resistances to disease and pests. When plants have stronger resistance to diseases, farmers not only have better productivity but also have less need for chemical pesticides. For consumers, that means cleaner, more nutritious vegetables,” said de Hoop.
Bridging innovation from East and West
Conference chairman of TBRT 2013, Dr. Darush Struss, biotechnology and molecular plant breeding manager at East-West Seed, reveals that the company was chosen for this special event following its staging of a successful international conference on Solanaceae in Thailand in 2011 in cooperation with NSTDA, Maejo and Chiang Mai universities with over 300 participants.
“This conference offers a tremendous opportunity for Thailand’s scientific communities and those who are involved in vegetable breeding, as well as horticultural scientists and students, to acquire first-hand information regarding advanced breeding technology,” said Dr. Struss
“The meeting is expected to contribute to stronger ties between researchers and plant Breeder’s in the public and private sectors. East-West Seed is very proud to host this significant forum and hope that it helps put Thailand strongly on the map as a scientific event organizer,” added Dr. Struss.
About East-West Seed
East-West Seed is market leader for tropical vegetable seeds in Asia. Using the most advanced technologies
in vegetable plant breeding, East-West Seed creates value for farmers by producing Better Seeds for Better YieldTM. The company’s strategy is based on breeding suitable varieties that allow farmers to be more productive, thereby contributing to agricultural sustainability.
East-West seeds are plant in the field of over 30 million farmers worldwide. The company is Asia based with over 2,000 employees and 12 R&D stations in 7 countries. We live and work in the markets we serve. To learn more about our business, please visit www.eastwestseed.com.
About The Tomato Breeder’s Roundtable (TBRT)
The Tomato Breeder’s Roundtable started as an informal meeting of tomato breeders in 1955
in the USA. Over the past five decades the TBRT has become an important meeting for the tomato researcher and breeders from public institutions and industry across the world.
The informal characteristics of the TBRT which has been preserved over five decades, offers a great forum for participants to discuss the latest developments in tomato breeding and associated breeding technology.
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Species
