In late May, researcher Antonio León from the University of San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) visited the Agrifood laboratories at FUNDITEC as part of the ongoing collaboration between the two partners within the POMATO project.

The visit focused on strengthening joint research activities related to the detection, study, and control of bacterial pathogens affecting potato and tomato crops. POMATO aims to combat the spread of Clavibacter sepedonicus and Ralstonia solanacearum, two harmful bacterial pathogens that can seriously threaten crop health, yield, and quality.

Within the project, USFQ and FUNDITEC are working together to isolate the strains with the highest infectivity in the study crops, allowing researchers to better understand their behaviour, impact, and relevance under different conditions. This work is an important step towards generating scientific knowledge that can support more effective and sustainable crop protection strategies.

In addition, the partners are exploring the crop soil microbiome to identify bacteria with potential biocontrol activity against Clavibacter sepedonicus and Ralstonia solanacearum. By studying naturally occurring microorganisms in the soil, researchers aim to better understand whether beneficial bacteria could contribute to reducing pathogen pressure and supporting healthier crop systems.

Antonio León’s visit to FUNDITEC provided an opportunity for direct laboratory collaboration, exchange of expertise, and further coordination of experimental activities between the two teams. Such partner visits are essential for aligning methodologies, sharing technical knowledge, and ensuring that research results can be effectively integrated across project activities.

This exchange is another example of the strong collaborative spirit within the POMATO consortium. By bringing together complementary expertise from partners across different countries, POMATO continues to generate valuable knowledge and work towards practical solutions for healthier potato and tomato production.