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Tradition meets innovation in CALS scientist’s tomato breeding efforts

tomatoes

ripe and unripe tomatoes on the vine

Oct 1, 2021

Selecting the Best Tomato Varieties for Your Garden

Cheralyn Berry, N.C. Cooperative Extension agent in Durham County, knows a thing or two about growing tomatoes in the South. She can help you pick the right variety to survive and thrive in your home garden. 
The new greenhouse at Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center in western North Carolina.

May 26, 2020

Topping-off for Tomato Breeding

NC State’s tomato breeding efforts, led by Dilip Panthee, just got a boost in the form of a new 1440-square-foot greenhouse at the Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center. 
Cherry tomatoes

Apr 29, 2020

Plant Aid: A GRIP4PSI Big-Data Project to Detect Plant Diseases Faster

An interdisciplinary team led by professor Jean Ristaino will combine small sensors with big data for faster detection of the diseases plaguing tomato fields. From a hand-held plant disease ‘sniffer’ to a cloud-based database that can alert farmers about the cause of the stress and suggest possible mitigation strategies, the project aims to detect diseases early, improving yield. 
Dilip Panthee (center), researcher at Mountain Horticultural Research and Extension Center, looks over tomatoes in the farm's greenhouse as students tend to the plants.

Jan 29, 2020

Greenhouse Vegetable Growers Support N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative

In honor of NC State’s past support and continued partnership, the North Carolina Greenhouse Vegetable Growers’ Association has donated $7,000 to the N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative. 
Two researchers in chamber holding a tray of tomato seedlings of different heights.

Mar 15, 2018

Just-in-Time Tomatoes?

NC State scientists are exploring the molecular-level processes that cause tomatoes to ripen, and what they find could have big implications for a range of traits -- from flavor to firmness -- in fruit-bearing crops. 
Two scientists look at tomatoes growing in a greenhouse.

Aug 7, 2017

Scientists Breed Better Fresh Market Tomatoes

NC State's tomato breeding program delivers more flavorful and disease-resistant tomatoes for farmers and home gardeners alike. 
Healthy and unhealthy tomato plants in a research plot.

Nov 3, 2016

Project Explores New Possibilities for Grafted Plants

NC State University-led projects are giving growers more choices when it comes to using grafted tomato and cucurbit plants. 

Jul 23, 2013

Guilford’s Great Tomato Festival offers 33 varieties for tasting

This summer’s tomato season got off to a slow start, with cooler spring temperatures and heavier-than-normal rainfall. But that didn’t stop tomato lovers from turning out for the fourth annual Great Tomato Festival in Greensboro, organized by N.C. Cooperative Extension in Guilford County and N.C. A&T State University. 

Jul 9, 2013

Late blight is early again this year

Late blight, a serious disease of tomatoes and potatoes, has been confirmed in North Carolina, according to N.C. State University's Plant Disease and Insect Clinic and two Cooperative Extension plant pathology specialists. 

Mar 20, 2013

Tradition meets innovation in CALS scientist’s tomato breeding efforts

Using a combination of new tools and time-honored techniques, Dr. Dilip Panthee is carrying on N.C. State University’s strong tradition in plant breeding, developing hardier, higher-yielding plants for North Carolina’s $30-million-a-year tomato industry.