POMATO Newsletter #2

POMATO Newsletter – Issue #2 (October 2025)

This issue spotlights our EU–LATAM work to bring early detection and nature-based control closer to the field, while keeping partners and stakeholders aligned on next steps.

Highlights from this issue:

Colombia case study & validation plan: AGROSAVIA led a field mission (Pacho & San Cayetano, Cundinamarca), collecting ~40 symptomatic samples for Ralstonia characterisation and co-designing IPM needs with farmers. Upcoming trials combine 750 greenhouse samples (cv. Santa Cruz Kada) with 0.5 ha field validation in Boyacá across dry & rainy cycles, testing smart sensory polymers, an MDD device for rapid screening, and two top biocontrols.
M6 General Assembly (27–28 Oct, online): Partners reviewed WP2–WP4 advances (pathogens, EDST, biocontrol), WP5 plans (IPM validation, SSbD, policy), and WP6 actions - agreeing concrete steps toward M12 GA + Open Day.
Outreach: POMATO featured on Portugal’s Rádio Regional do Centro (F4S) to invite growers into non-invasive detection pilots; visibility boosted at Fruit Attraction 2025 (IFEMA Madrid).
Community & knowledge: Presence at VII Simposio en Fitopatología y Biocontrol (USFQ, Ecuador) and a Wikifarmer feature outlining POMATO’s four pillars and targeted impact.

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