OARDC receives $2 million grant to support greenhouse tomato industry

Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC) has received a $2 million grant from the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture to improve disease control and food safety in the U.S. greenhouse tomato industry. Domestic indoor production accounts for nearly 40% of all fresh tomatoes sold in U.S. supermarkets.
A crucial need of the greenhouse tomato industry is to develop a more systematic and effective way to control diseases. Large greenhouse operations have reported annual losses of as much as $1 million due to tomato diseases. Disease management costs can also be prohibitive for small growers.
 “Greenhouse tomato producers list diseases as the highest risk factor to their productivity and profitability,” said OARDC and Ohio St. Univ. Extension vegetable pathologist Sally Miller. Miller, who is the project’s principal investigator, said the grant will enable researchers to look at current systems and to recommend areas for improvements.
This project will examine identification of critical points for introduction and spread of high-risk pathogens; development of accurate, quick and cost-effective disease identification and diagnostic tools; development of best management practices in conjunction with growers; and assessment of the various technologies and recommendations to ensure their effectiveness.
The project will also focus on preventing foodborne diseases such as salmonella, which have led to recalls and widespread economic losses in field-grown tomatoes.

Pictured: With a $2 million USDA grant, OARDC and Ohio St. Univ. Extension vegetable pathologist Sally Miller is working with other researchers to improve disease control and food safety in the U.S. greenhouse tomato industry.
Photo courtesy of Ohio St. Univ. Extension