신선 토마토 insights

(Suwon=Yonhap News) Reporter Choi Hae-min = The Gyeonggi Agricultural Technology Institute recently announced on the 27th that it urges frontline farmers to control vectors and remove vector weeds as the incidence rate of viral diseases in tomato cultivation areas has increased over the past three years. According to a survey conducted by the institute over the past three years in nine cultivation areas including Pyeongtaek, Gwangju, and Yongin, the incidence of Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus (TSWV) increased from 30% in 2022 to 44% last year, while the incidence of Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus (TYLCV) and Tomato Chlorotic Spot Virus (ToCV) increased from 10% to 33% over the same period. Tomatoes infected with the virus exhibit symptoms such as leaf curling, rot (necrosis), yellowing, and wilting, making it difficult for them to bear fruit normally and causing a sharp decline in yield. Accordingly, the institute recommends several measures: ▲ periodic removal of weeds inside and outside the cultivation facilities ▲ installation of 50-mesh (1-2mm) insect screens at entrances and ventilation openings ▲ use of sticky traps ▲ alternating application of different pesticides at early stages of vector occurrence (at intervals of 3-7 days) ▲ immediate removal of infected individuals. Park Jung-soo, head of the Environmental Agriculture Research Division, said, "To prevent tomato viral diseases, it is important to thoroughly manage the internal and external environment by controlling vectors and removing vector weeds early" and "if symptoms are suspected, we recommend requesting a diagnosis from the Gyeonggi Cyber Plant Hospital (plant119.kr) and taking action."

Artificial intelligence (AI) is breaking one of the historical barriers of agriculture: the constant struggle between plants and pathogens. According to Raphael Lacerda, an expert in Artificial Intelligence, research from the University of California, Davis, proves that machines can surpass millennia of evolution and elevate the immunity of crops like tomatoes and potatoes to unprecedented levels.

Bulgaria produced just over 527,000 tons of vegetables in 2024, which is less than 1% of the annual production in the European Union. Eurostat data indicate that the total vegetable harvest in the EU amounts to 62.2 million tons and is 6% higher compared to 2023. The largest producer is Spain with 14.8 million tons, followed by Italy with 13.9 million and France with 5.8 million tons. In 2024, tomato production increased by 5% to 16.8 million tons, carrots by 6% to 4.7 million tons, and onions by 11% to 7 million tons. The largest producer of tomatoes is Italy, which provides 36% of the European production, followed by Spain and Portugal. Germany is the leader in carrot cultivation, with German farmers providing 18% of the total European production. It is followed by France and Poland. The Netherlands was the leading producer of onions in the EU in 2024, accounting for about a quarter (26 percent) of the onions harvested in the EU, followed by Spain (20 percent) and Germany (12 ...