This archive report was first published on 13 August 2019.
On August 13, 2019, Bayer East Africa launched a new variety of tomato that is resistant to the notorious bacterial wilt disease.
The new hybrid variety, called 'Seminis Tomato Ansal', produces extra-firm fruits that last three weeks after harvest, minimizing post-harvest losses and boosting incomes for farmers.
According to Bayer East Africa commercial lead Elizabeth Mranda, the Ansal F1 hybrid is also resistant to tomato mosaic virus, among others.
The variety was introduced to farmers in late 2018 after one year of on-station trials and off-station demonstrations plots with selected farmers in Kirinyaga, Loitokitok, and Nyanza.
Ms. Mranda stated, 'Following extensive trials with farmers, we can confirm that the new variety is the answer to bacterial wilt in tomatoes. It is a great seed variety that will save the farmer huge costs in pesticides in fighting the disease.'
Bacterial wilt is a soil and water-borne disease caused by bacteria, which can survive for up to 40 years in water, with high incidence reported in regions where river and lake water is heavily relied on for irrigation by farmers.
