TOMATO VARIETY OBSERVATIONAL TRIAL Horticulture Station 2005-2009 By Henry G. Taber Department of Horticulture Iowa State University Updated: December 2009 We conducted an observational trial of fresh market tomato varieties for commercial growers to use in farmer s markets. The Horticulture Station location, Gilbert, IA, contains a welldrained, Clarion loam soil with a cation exchange capacity of 13.1, organic matter of 2.6%, and a ph of 6.1. The tomato study consisted of 4 types: 1) standard commercial varieties; 2) specialty types as cherry and romas, 3) high lycopene types containing the crimson gene; and 3) heirloom types that have the most promise as determined from variety trials in other states. Each variety was grown in a single row plot with SRM-olive polyethylene mulch (wavelength selective) and trickle irrigation. Plants were pruned to the first cluster and two stems allowed to develop, then staked and tied. Normal culture and pest management programs were followed. Transplants were set mid-may for all years and harvest commenced about the third week of July. Details are listed with the weather information. Observations: Individual variety comments are listed in the table below. Following the table are color pictures of the fruit. Comments are a summation over the 5-year trial period and all varieties were not trialed each year. Yields are not presented because only a single or two replications was observed and our interest was more in plant and fruit quality than yield per plant. In general, the standard commercial varieties of Sunstart, Mountain Spring, Florida 91, and Mountain Fresh Plus performed very well, but the vegetative plant growth of Sunstart and Mountain Spring could be larger to provide more fruit cover. For the crimson reds only Tasti-Lee is suitable for commercial production of a high lycopene tomato. Health Kick and Spitfire are not adapted to our area bullet shaped fruit, internal ripening disorders, heavy blossom end rot. The heirlooms with the most promise are Lemon Boy, Persimmon, Mortgage lifter and Box Car Willie. The others are not worth growing poor shape, heavy cracks before ripe, poor production, etc. Brandywine is available as a potato leaf type (the one in this trial) and a tomato leaf type. New Jersey data indicates the tomato leaf type is of better quality. There are many varieties to choose from and perhaps you already have a favorite. If not, we hope these comments will help in your selection.
Seed. Thanks to the following companies for donating see: Johnny s Selected Seeds, Winslow, ME Rupp Seeds Inc., Wauseon, OH Rispens Seeds, Beecher, IL Stokes Seeds Inc., Buffalo, NY SeedWay, Elizabethtown, PA Harris-Moran, Rochester, NY Seminis Vegetable Seeds, Oxnard, CA Crop Season Notes for the 5 growing seasons: 2005 Crop season. The early growing season temperatures of late April and May were cooler than normal with above normal rainfall but only 8 days with rain each month. For the most part, it was a good vegetable growing season for those growers with irrigation in central Iowa (season ppt. was 10.5 inches below normal). The hot weather for July through September did not interfere greatly with quality, except a few foliar diseases and pumpkin fruit rot that came on suddenly in late August and early September (average seasonal temperature was 12.6 o F above normal and there were 48 days > 90 o F). The last spring frost was May 4 at 26 o F, although light frost occurred in low areas on May 15. The nights of May 2, 3, and 4 were particularly damaging with low temperatures of 30, 23, and 26 o F, respectively. Low lying areas were much colder. The first fall frost occurred on September 29 at 32 o F. Tomato transplants set May 17 and first harvest commenced July 22 (66 days) with Spitfire and Mortgage Lifter. Mountain Spring first harvest was August 1 (74 days). 2006 Crop season. April temperatures and rainfall were close to normal allowing perennial crops to emerge from dormancy at a normal rate. On May 6 there was a significant frost causing damage to the apple flower buds. May was extremely dry (-2.77 inches) necessitating immediate irrigation of newly set transplants. For most of June and July dry and humid conditions prevailed requiring a normal insecticide/fungicide spray program. By mid-august through September the fall rains arrived. The first hard freeze occurred October 11. Seasonal precipitation was 0.4-inch below normal (about 6.5 inches below normal for May through mid- July and similar amount above normal in late July to October 1). Seasonal temperatures were 1 o F below normal. There were 16 days with highs > 90 o F. Tomato transplants were set May 18 and first harvest commenced July 25 with Mountain Spring (68 days). 2007 Crop season. Relatively warm temperatures in March resulted in early bud swell of the apples. This later became a detriment when temperatures dipped into the lower teens the first week of April. This resulting freeze caused a virtual crop failure in the apple orchard. The summer of 2007 was a mix of above and below normal temperatures and precipitation with relatively high humidity throughout the period. The result was high incidents of insect and
disease infestations and an increased use of pesticides. Overall water use for irrigation was less than the year before. Seasonal rainfall was 2.95 inches above normal, temperature was +6.5 o F, and there was 1 day when high temperature exceeded 90 o F. Tomato transplants set May 10 and first harvest commenced July 20 (71 days) with BNH 589, Indy, Siletz, Cherokee purple, and Persimmon. 2008 Crop season. The early growing season temperatures of late April through May were below normal with excessive rainfall. May and June had 33 days with significant rain. The heavy rain continued through July. Early plantings were delayed at least 2 weeks. Total seasonal rainfall exceeded normal by 11.4 inches. For the most part, it was a cool, if not cold, vegetable growing season with only 5 days with maximum air temperature > 90 o F. Early disease problems were controlled by earlier than normal fungicide applications. The last spring frost was April 29, although nighttime lows were in the 30 s on May 4, 13, and 20th.. The first fall light frost occurred on October 18 and a hard freeze, 28oF, on the 27th. The respective normal 25% chance of frost is May 9 and October 6. Tomato transplants set May 13 and first harvest commenced July 22 (70 days) for Sunstart and Sunshine. 2009 Crop season. The early growing season temperatures of late April through May were 1.1 o F below normal with above normal rainfall (1.24-inch). For the most part, it was a very cool, if not cold, vegetable growing season with only 6 days with maximum air temperature > 90 o F. The month of July averaged 7 o F below the normal temperature of 77 o F. Rainfall was generally below normal, except for August which was near normal at 4.26 inches. The last spring frost was April 15 at 30 o F although nighttime lows were in the low 30 s on April 27, May 2, 16, and 17 th. Tomato transplants set May 5, and the first harvest commenced Jyly 24 (80 days) with Sunshine, the earliest variety. Primo Red and Red Defender were a week later. If you are viewing this document as a printed, black and white copy go to: www.public.iastate.edu/~taber/extension/second.htm for a color pdf version of this document. For the latest 2009 variety report with pictures go to: www.public.iastate.edu/~taber/extension/progress%20rpt%2009/tomato%20variety_09.pdf
Although notes reflect multiple year observations, not all varieties were tested each year. Variety Maturity Fruit and Plant Comments Adapted for commercial use Siletz 60 Small plant, heavy foliar disease, blotchy ripening most years, mostly cracked fruit. Not recommended. PolBig 61 Early, small plant, high incidence of blotchy ripening, large amount of small fruit (trial only 2009) Sunstart 65 Standard for early production, short production season, lacks foliage cover. Good external appearance, highly susceptible to low temp (catfacing), excellent fruit size, poor internal quality, can develop BER and blotchy ripening. Sunshine 66 Variable fruit size and some misshapes, yellow shoulders some years, let develop to full ripeness for best internal color Primo Red 67 Large, uniform fruit (9.7 oz), tendency for internal white core, not good foliage cover (trial only 2009) Sunrise 68 Good foliage cover, large fruit Indy 68 Attractive fruit, good color, small stem scar, some internal ripening disorders. Robust plant and early. Smaller fruit size than Sunstart or Mountain Spring. Sunchief 69 A 2 nd early, but fruit blotchy ripening, cracked, mostly cull. Not recommended. Crista 70 Fruit size variable, fruit tends to be oblong rather than round Solar Fire 72 Variable quality, some shoulder checking, heavy internal white, early harvest equals poor internal fruit color. Not recommended. Mountain Spring 72 Std. commercial variety, excellent fruit appearance, heavy fruit loads, trend to blotchy fruit ripening, internal white, plant small, susceptible to leaf diseases. Fruit size can be variable. Fletcher 74 Uniform, attractive fruit, large size (9.2 oz), tends to crack (trial only 2009)
Sunbrite 74 Excellent fruit size, good fruit color, good foliage cover. Fruit tend to develop an inch radial crack most years. Worth including on trial basis for your location. Sun Leaper 74 Developed to set under high temperatures. Excellent plant foliage and fruit size and appearance. Fruit size smaller (more 8 oz) than Mountain series (which runs 9 to 10 oz). BNH 589 75 Excellence appearance, subject to low temp (cat-facing), misshapen, moderate internal white, high quality for taste. Not good foliage cover. Scarlet Red 75 Developed bullet shape appearance, heavy radial cracked, low marketable yield (trial only 2009) Mountain Crest 75 Attractive fruit with excellent uniformity (9.0 oz), productive to mid-sept (trial only 2009) Nico 76 Attractive fruit, variable size, large stem scar, good internal color, excellent foliage cover (trial only 2009) Florida 91 78 Standard mid-season variety. Excellent fruit uniformity, good plant cover. Fruit size smaller in late harvests. Mountain Fresh Plus 78 Standard main season variety. Excellent external appearance, good foliage cover (semi-determinate), less leaf disease than most, excellent internal fruit color but can develop white tissue under hot, humid conditions. FL 47R 78 A late variety with excellent fruit appearance, uniform size, heavy fruit loads. Red Defender 78 Attractive fruit, very large (10.1 oz), catface in early harvests, robust plant, produce good fruit to mid- Sept (trial only in 2009). Biltmore 80 Uniform size but variable in late harvests, excellent external and internal appearance, less ripening disorders than most varieties. More prone to leaf diseases, like Mountain Spring Specialty Types Elfin 65 A version of the original grape, but a more determinate plant. Good size and very productive, but fruit drop off plant before fully ripe. Also, drops when plant handled. Not recommended. Mountain Belle 70 A standard cherry tomato. Very productive and long season producing. Fruit of large size and
excellent color. Highly recommended. LaRossa 78 A plum or roma tomato that ripens uniformly. Very productive. Puple Tomatillo 81 A deep purple version of the toma verde tomatillo, excellent fruit color, but the indeterminate plant is difficult to tie up as stems very brittle High Lycopene Types Spitfire 72 Early, very nice, uniform fruit size but tends to bullet shape. Susceptible to low temp (catfacing), BER, and yellow top. Not recommended. Health Kick 72 Roma shape fruit, determinate plant, crim gene for high lycopene, but fruit develop extreme BER. Needs careful attention to irrigation scheduling. FL 8153 75 New development from Florida breeding program containing the crim gene. Smaller plant than Mountain Fresh, heavy fruit production, fruit size can be variable but averages about 9 oz. Excellent external and internal color. Heirloom Types Lemon Boy 72 A hybrid with excellent fruit size (8 oz) and strong, vigorous indeterminate plants. Excellent yellow color and appearance with little cracking. Worthy of trial in your location. Black Prince 74 Mahogany brown fruit. All fruit poor, not even No. 2 quality, fruit cracks and splits while on the plant. Not recommended. Striped German 78 Suppose to be combination of red and yellow flesh (a marbled effect), mild flavor, low acid. Large, ribbed shoulder fruit. Our fruit were mostly rots, deep scars, deep ribbed, yellow with very little red. Box Car Willie 80 A heavy producer of 6-8oz uniform fruit on indeterminate plants. Very little cracks or ripening disorders. Very little foliar disease. Worthy of trial in your location. Brandywine 80 Many variations of this type on the market. Purchase the tomato leaf type, rather than potato leaf, as fruit of better quality (if that s possible). Very large fruit that tends to split on the blossom end, heavy concentric cracking on the shoulders, even while fruit still green.
Cherokee Purple 80 Very large (12 oz) fruit that are rose/purple with dark red internal color. Similar to Brandywine in growth habit and fruit size and shape, but fruit of better quality. Persimmon 80 Very large (12 to 16 oz), golden/orange fruit on vigorous indeterminate plants. Good internal color. Mr. Stripy 80 Similar to Striped German with supposedly clear defined yellow and red stripes on fruit which we did not see. Very late, mostly BER, rots, mostly yellow fruit. Not recommended. Thessaloniki 80 Greek red variety with 6-8 oz. fruit. Fruit yellow shoulders, all cracked, BER. Not recommended. Mortgage Lifter 82 Very large (12 oz) pink to red fruit on indeterminate plants. Fruits meaty with a strong tomato flavor. Generally crack free, but early fruits can develop radial cracks. Worthy of trial.
Major variety adaption problem is ripening disorders. Photos were selected to represent the average fruit quality of the harvest. Called blotchy ripening Not skin deep, but throughout wall Cat-facing, result of cold temperatures Concentric cracking Severe rain checked Heavy morning dew, rain checking
Commercial Varieties Mountain Spring in field production Close-up of Mountain Spring fruit cluster Mountain Spring, a 2nd early Mountain Spring Florida 91, a main season Florida 91
Siletz, an early type Siletz Crista Crista Indy, showing plant growth Indy, a 2 nd early Indy
Sunshine, an early type LaRossa, roma type BNH 589, a main season BNH 589 Red Defender Red Defender
Mountain Crest Mountain Crest Nico Nico
PolBig PolBig Primo Red Primo Red
Fletcher Fletcher High Lycopene Types Tasti-Lee Tasti-Lee
Spitfire Spitfire Health Kick, showing heavy BER Health Kick Heirloom Types Mortgage Lifter Mortgage Lifter
Lemon Boy Lemon Boy Persimmon Persimmon Box Car Willie Purple Tomatillo
Brandywine Brandywine Brandywine Brandywine Mr. Stripy Striped German
Black Prince Black Prince Cherokee Purple Cherokee Purple... and justice for all The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Many materials can be made available in alternative formats for ADA clients. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Jack Payne, director, Cooperative Extension Service, Iowa State University of Science and Technology, Ames, Iowa.