POMATO

Effective management strategies to tackle Clavibacter sepedonicus and Ralstonia solanacearum outbreaks on potato and tomato crops

Start date: 01/05/2025

Duration: 48 months

Topic: HORIZON-CL6-2024-FARM2FORK-02-4-two-stage

Total budget: EUR 6 526 081.50

In fields across Europe and Latin America, potato and tomato growers face a formidable threat: outbreaks of Cs and Rs diseases, devastating crops and threatening livelihoods. Recognizing the urgency, the POMATO project stepps forward, driven by a vision of thriving, disease-resistant crops.
At the heart of POMATO’s approach are innovative molecular techniques, unlocking resistance genes to breed healthier, more resilient potato and tomato varieties. Equipped with cutting-edge AI, polymeric sensors, and multispectral drone imaging, the team aims to develop advanced tools for early and precise detection of these diseases, empowering farmers with timely interventions.
Committed to sustainability, POMATO embraces nature-based and biocontrol solutions, significantly reducing chemical usage and enhancing soil and plant health. Rigorous field validations in greenhouses and real infected environments are planned to confirm the effectiveness of these integrated pest management strategies, building trust among farmers and industry stakeholders.
Through active dissemination and strategic partnerships, POMATO ensures the widespread adoption of these innovative solutions, ultimately securing the health and quality of potato and tomato crops for generations to come.

POMATO AT A GLANCE

Development of new molecular tools for breeding Cs/Rs-resistant potato and tomato varieties

AI-driven models, sensor-based detection, and image analysis for early, accurate detection of Cs/Rs infections, improving disease management

Adoption of eco-friendly solutions for seed, plant, and soil health, significantly reducing chemical pesticide and fungicide use

Successful field trials delivering reliable diagnostic tools and biocontrol solutions for Cs/Rs, with potential for replication in other Solanaceae crops

Defining and implementing pilot programs to validate ELOQUENCE technologies

Establishment of IPM strategies to help farmers effectively manage Cs/Rs outbreaks in EU potato and tomato crops

OUR ROLE

Through the POMATO project, InoSens will leverage its extensive expertise to lead Work Package 6, driving impactful dissemination activities to ensure the sustainability and broad adoption of project outcomes. InoSens will strategically deliver targeted communication across diverse channels, effectively engaging various stakeholders including growers, researchers, industry professionals, and policymakers. Moreover, InoSens will manage the project’s exploitation efforts, overseeing intellectual property rights (IPR) and facilitating the successful uptake and market readiness of the project’s innovations. By proactively connecting with complementary EU initiatives, InoSens aims to maximize the reach, visibility, and long-term impact of the POMATO project’s solutions.