Shruthi, WorldVeg Golden Jubilee Scholarship intern, shares her story…

My journey at WorldVeg has been wonderful, from February to June 2024. From working with the tomato breeding team, conducting my research, and connecting with people from such diverse backgrounds – working at WorldVeg was life-changing for me.

It all started when my research supervisor Dr M Shanthi Priya back home at S.V. Agricultural College, Tirupati, suggested I work on tomato, owing to my horticultural background. To pursue this, we turned to the World Vegetable Center’s vast genebank to obtain accessions for our genetic diversity studies. Although that plan didn’t pan out, it led me to the WorldVeg website where I discovered the Golden Jubilee Scholarship. Encouraged by my friends, family and mentors back home, I applied – and it was a dream come true when I was accepted, to work there with my supervisor Assaf Eybishitz, who has such extensive experience and knowledge in tomato breeding.

Food production faces numerous biotic and abiotic stresses, with pests and diseases causing significant losses, especially in vegetable production. In tomato, tomato yellow leaf curl disease (TYLCD) is highly destructive and can cause up to 100% yield loss if infection occurs at an early stage. This is caused by a virus transmitted by whiteflies. Possible control measures include managing the virus, and manging the vector. Multi-disease and insect resistant lines developed by WorldVeg incorporate resistance mechanisms against both the vector and the virus. My study focused on how these lines affect virus spread and accumulation. These lines can be a breakthrough in TYLCD management as they provide a double barrier against disease occurrence, reduce chemical dependency and its associated drawbacks, and put less pressure on both the vector and virus to developing future resistance.

Collecting healthy whiteflies reared on cabbage plants, and the experimental setup for ‘preference bioassay’

Loading DNA samples for gel electrophoresis, and DNA extraction and PCR

I also participated in the 26th Biannual International Plant Resistance to Insects Symposium (IPRI 2024), at WorldVeg headquarters in Taiwan, 22-25 April 2024. Unveiling new knowledge on plant resistance to insects at a landmark symposium – World Vegetable Center (avrdc.org). Here, I networked with many experts and learned extensively about host plant resistance to insects, which closely aligns with my own research.

Shruthi, 2nd from right amongst participants at the International Plant Resistance to Insects Symposium, and 4^th from the left amongst all.

Every month at WorldVeg there are seminars, conferences, and delegates from all over the world, providing endless learning opportunities. In just four months, I learned a great deal from the tomato breeding team, other scientists, research assistants and fellow interns.

The experience has significantly benefitted my personal and professional growth. Apart from the research, I was also able to explore Taiwan, and was also fortunate enough to partake in festivities like the Lantern Festival and The Dragon Boat festival, allowing me a glimpse into the rich culture and life of the people of Taiwan. This was my first time outside of India, and I want to thank everyone involved for making my experience so memorable.

At the the Sicao Dazhong temple, the lantern festival in Tainan, and wearing traditional clothing of the Paiwan tribe at the Taiwan Indigenous Culture Park

I want to express my gratitude to the Government of Republic of China (Taiwan) for funding the scholarship, and to the World Vegetable Center for hosting me. I would also like to express my sincere thanks to Marco Wopereis, Director General for his personal encouragement in doing research at WorldVeg. I am also eternally grateful to my supervisor Assaf and the entire tomato breeding team. Additionally, my appreciation extends to so many others at WorldVeg headquarters, to Srinivasan Ramasamy and family, Ya-ping Lin, Lourena Maxwel, Yoonah Jang, Emmanuel Omondi, Susan Tsai, Nick Pasiecznik, Alex Gi, and all of my fellow interns. I am also very grateful to all at the Food and Dormitory Services for their help and hospitality.

Back in India, I express my gratitude to my University Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Andra Pradesh, Dean of Postgraduate Studies, Associate Dean Dr G Prabhakara Reddy, my supervisor Dr M Shanti Priya, my advisory committee members Dr B Santhosh Kumar Naik and Dr P Karthik Reddy and all my professors including Dr. B. Rupesh Kumar Reddy. Special thanks too, to Madhusudhan, my friends and family, for their support and encouragement, which made my experience truly amazing.

Making her final presentation on 13 June 2024 at WorldVeg headquarters, Taiwan, with dozens also following online from around the world, and receiving her certificate from Yun Ping Wang, WorldVeg Deputy Director General – Partnerships, with her proud supervisor Assaf Eybishitz

I wish the time could have been longer, but these four months were so wonderfully rewarding. Now, upon returning, I will complete my master’s degree and aspire to continue with a PhD. In future, I hope to work and contribute towards the greater goal of improving food and nutritional security, for all.

Shruthi Shimoga Prabhakar, WorldVeg research intern (tomato breeding)

MSc Student, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU), Guntur, Andra Pradesh, India