The project is on the last objective of Year Two i.e. the field and screenhouse evaluation of tomato germplasms for resistance to Fusarium and Ralstonia Wilt in Nigeria and Ghana. In the early part of the year, the project had multiplied 141 lines and varieties of tomato in Nigeria and 41 in Ghana. These collections were taken to the field and the screenhouse to subject them to pathogen invasion and document the reactions of the lines to the pathogens. Among the 141 germplasms being evaluated in Nigeria, 41 are F1 lines. The F1 lines were products of hybridization work.
In Nigeria, the field evaluations are taking place simultaneously in four different locations:-

1. Research and Experimental Field of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria.
2. Experimental Field of the National Horticultural Research Institute, NIHORT, Ibadan, Nigeria.
3. Ogun State Agricultural Development Programme (OGADEP) Farmer’s Field at Agbon, Itori, Ogun State.
4. OGADEP Farmer’s Field at Poro Village, Olodo, Ogun State.

The Principal Investigator, Dr. A. R. Popoola, accompanied by the Research Student (Mr. S. A. Ganiyu), the Extension Agents (Messrs Ojo and Popoola) and Subject Matter Specialist (Mrs. Abidemi) of OGADEP recently took a tour of these locations.

Plate 1 The Principal Investigator, inspecting the Tomato Nursery Site located within the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria.

Plate 2. Field Trial Site located within the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria.

Plate 3. Mobilising labour hands for the purpose of transplanting tomato seedlings.

Plate 4. Commencement of transplanting, May 22, 2012.

Plate 5. The Principal Investigator, Dr. A.R. Popoola and a Breeder, inspecting the field performances of tomato lines/varieties at the National Horticultural Research Institute, NIHORT, Ibadan, Nigeria.

Plate 6. Inspecting the performances of tomato lines inoculated with bacterial wilt pathogen in a screenhouse located within the premises of Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Services, Ibadan, Nigeria.

Plate 7. On an inspection visit to Poro village, with OGADEP Extension Agent (Mr. Ojo). The participating farmers in DelPHE 5 Tomato Wilt Project reside in this village.

Plate 8. The Principal Investigator, Dr. A. R. Popoola inspects farmer’s tomato nursery location at Poro Village. With him, staying closely together, were the duo of Mrs. Abidemi (Subject Matter Specialist) and Mr. Ojo (Extension Agent).

Plate 9. Talking with the farmer in Poro Village.

Plate 10. At the second extension village. From left – Dr. Popoola, Mr. Popoola and Mrs. Abidemi.

Plate 11. With Tomato farmer in Agbon Village. The farmer has his tomato in the nursery as at the time of this visitation

Plate 12. Tomato plant, succumbing to bacterial wilt. Note the greenness even while wilting.

Plate 13. A tolerant tomato line, still standing strong in wilt-endemic field.

Plate 14. An F1 line (Lycopersicon pimpinellifolium x AVRDC I line) doing fine on wilt-endemic field.