MARTIN, Tenn. — Egyptian farmers along the Nile River are learning from a University of Tennessee-Martin agriculture professor how to prevent or limit damage to their tomato crops.
Dr. Bobby Hathcock, a field crop pathologist, is spending four weeks with farmers who export tomatoes to surrounding countries and Eastern Europe.
Hathcock is teaching them to use different types of controls, including pest-resistant varieties of tomatoes and chemicals.
“The idea is to reduce overall chemical application for environmental and cost reasons,” Hathcock said. “With fewer chemicals, you need less money and it’s more environmentally friendly.”
The Egyptian farmers also will learn when to plant crops and about irrigation methods and monitoring soil temperature.
Contact: Ken West (901-587-7615)