Page 22 - AWA Vol.41-No.5. 1

SeedS & PLANtStoCK

New tomato varieties from Bayer offer protection

against resistance-breaking tomato

ayer is using multi-stacked virus-re- high virus pressure. One trial group was in-
Bsistant genes to bring more durable oculated with the standard virus, the other
protection against ToBRFV mutations / De- with a resistance-breaking ToBRFV isolate.
veloped through advanced conventional Each trial was conducted in a separate
breeding techniques, new hybrids will be glasshouse and included a non-resistant
available this year in every major glass- tomato variety. At both 14 and 21 days af-
house tomato segment ter inoculation, the non-resistant plants
Bayer has developed new tomato variet- exhibited severe ToBRFV symptoms, but
ies that provide growers advanced solu- those with multiple resistance stacks held
tions in their fight against tomato brown ru- up against both the standard virus as well
gose fruit virus (ToBRFV). These will launch as the newly characterized mutation of To-
this year in every major glasshouse tomato “Resistance-breaking ToBRFV remains BRFV.
segment and provide multi-stacked virus- a long-term threat to grower incomes, so The first tomato hybrids with multi-
resistant genes for more durable protec- they need longer-lasting solutions without stacked resistance include Bayer's De
tion against ToBRFV mutations. sacrificing produce quality or agronomic Ruiter red beef Ferreira and pink beef
performance,” said Javier Quintero, Global
The first generation of resistant tomato Futumaru tomato, which are already com-
varieties have helped ensure produce Lead Tomato R&D at Bayer's Crop Science mercially available. Bayer is launching new
quality and consistent supply over recent division. “We tested several new ToBRFV- multi-stacked resistant hybrids for Large
years, but plant RNA viruses like ToBRFV resistant hybrids, and we confirmed that Truss, Medium Truss, Cocktail & Cherry
mutate quickly. This means varieties with they hold up against the resistance-break- Plum Truss, as well as new Beef tomatoes.
single-source resistance are more vulner- ing virus. We expect growers to see similar Recent trials support high expectations on
able to attack, but stacking multiple resis- results under similar growing conditions, agronomic performance as well as resis-
tant genes that disrupt different stages of which is very exciting.” tance level, and the first wave of these new
the plant-virus interaction can offer better Bayer conducted two trials testing the re- products will be commercially available in
protection. sistance of four new tomato hybrids under 2025. Circle 26 on enquiry card

KUBTEC® Scientific Launches XSEED® X-ray Imaging Systems

Family, enabling rapid, Non-destructive Seed Quality Assessment

UBTEC®, a global leader in X-ray other resources are needed.
Kimaging technology, has proudly The XSEED family has 3 models - XSEED
launched the XSEED® family of X-ray mini, XSEED, and XSEED Plus – designed
Systems, a range of high-resolution X-ray to meet a variety of budgets and imag-
imaging systems and software solutions ing needs.
designed specifically for use in seed XSEED mini is an economical bench-
and agricultural analysis applications. top solution, ideal for the lab with little
Each of the XSEED systems is capable room to spare. XSEED and XSEED Plus
of imaging internal seed morphology in systems are equipped with a wide range
fully intact seeds, enabling non-destruc- of proprietary workflow management
tive assessment of seed quality in dra- features such as Image Blender™, which specifically for the needs of our agricul-
matically less time than traditional meth- combines X-ray and optical images. This tural customers.”
ods, such as tetrazolium chloride test or combination enables users to map ex-
germination test. ternally visible damage to internal seed Vikram Butani, CEO of KUBTEC Sci-
All systems come equipped with DIGI- structures, as well as conveniently iden- entific, shared the vision that led to the
SEED® seed analysis software that pro- tify labeled samples, as sample data can launch of the XSEED family of systems:
vides researchers and seed specialists be embedded right in the image. As the “We understand that agriculture and
with the tools needed for precise, cus- system with the highest image quality of the seed industry face significant chal-
tomizable, and repeatable seed analysis. the three, XSEED Plus is able to provide lenges right now, including climate
DIGISEED software delivers quick seed detailed images of minute seed cracks, change impacting seed quality and
characterization, including count, size, voids, and evidence of plant infestations yields, evolving pest resistance, and the
density, and fill percentage, in just sec- for optimized seed quality assessment. need for increased agricultural produc-
onds. Shane Smithee, Global Sales Manager tivity and sustainable farming practices.
In addition, all XSEED systems are cab- of KUBTEC Scientific, said of the launch: We are confident that XSEED can be a
inet X-ray systems that are safe to use “At KUBTEC we are at the forefront of X- tool for addressing these challenges,
anywhere with very little training. The ray imaging innovation, with many firsts and provide a more efficient, accurate,
systems can be installed in mobile labs over our 20 year history. We’re very ex- and insightful alternative to traditional
to support research in the field, with only cited to now be the first company to de- seed testing methods.”
standard power required; no water or sign a line of X-ray systems and software Circle 27 on enquiry card
20 Vol. 41 No. 5