Year Awarded 2023
FFAR award amount $449,158
Total award amount $449,158
Location College Station, TX
Matching Funders Texas A&M AgriLife Research
Grantee Institution Texas A&M AgriLife Research
Currently, producers manage the tomato spotted wilt virus through genetically resistant varieties of tomato and pepper as well as insecticides to control thrips, an insect that spreads the virus. However, novel strains of tomato spotted wilt virus have overcome the genetic resistance, and thrips have developed insecticide resistance. Dr. Kiran Gadhave is developing a type of RNA that can deliver targeted therapeutics, both preventative and curative, specifically tailored against the virus and thrips to the tomato and pepper, helping to develop a novel, sustainable, economical, eco-friendly tool for pest management.