1999 FRESH MARKET TOMATO CULTIVAR EVALUATION

 
Brad R. Bergefurd, Extension Agent, Horticulture
Thom C. Harker, Research Assistant, Horticulture
Ohio State University Extension Enterprise Center
1864 Shyville Road, Piketon, Ohio 45661-9749
(740)289-3727

This Fresh Market Tomato trial compared 15 cultivars using 4 replicates of each cultivar. Objectives were to evaluate potential fresh market cultivars for total yield, average fruit size, color, percent soluble solids, grade and quality attributes and for their overall suitability in southern Ohio growing seasons.

Methods:

Planting: Seeded April 13, 1999 into 98-cell Pro Trays using a peat vermiculite soilless mix. Cells were thinned as needed to 1 plant /cell. Plants were transplanted to the field on June 7, 1999 at Hillsboro, Ohio using a Water Wheel Planter.

Spacing: Rows were 5 feet apart, with plants set into raised beds at a 18" spacing between plants. The beds were cover with black plastic mulch with trickle irrigation under the mulch prior to planting.

Soil Type: Haubstadt Silt Loam

Fertilizer: Applied 120 lbs. N., 120 lbs. P2O5 and 120 lbs. K2O per acre prior to planting according to soil test recommendations. 20-20-20 (1 lb. / 100 gal. 8 oz. per plant) with transplant water.

Weed Control: 2 pt/A Treflan 4 E tank mixed with .51 lb./A Sencor 75 DF pre plant incorporated on 5/27/99. Hand hoed and cultivated as necessary.

Pest Management: Thiodan 3EC at .67 qt./A on 7/7, 7/27; Warrior 1EC at 1.92 fl oz./A on 8/19; Bravo Ultrex at 1.8 lb./A on 7/7, 7/14, 7/20, 7/27, 8/5, 8/11, 8/19, 8/27.

Irrigation: 7/1, 7/6, 7/16, 7/21, 7/27, 8/6, 8/19, 8/26 and 8/31

Harvest: August 13, August 26 and September 9

Results:

Total Marketable Fruit; yields for the replicated cultivars ranged from 11.3 tons per acre (Shady Lady) to 3.82 tons per acre (SRX 6611). Carolina Gold was the only yellow variety on trial this year, it was very firm, nice color and had a small seed cavity. Percent of soluble solids ranged from 6.06 (RFT6367) to 3.70 (Sun Shine). The long range goal is to utilize the existing agriculture infrastructure of southern Ohio to introduce these Fresh Market tomato varieties as an alternative crop for Ohio producers.

Table 1. Early harvest yields and comparisons for the replicated Tomato Cultivar Evaluation, Hillsboro, Ohio

Cultivar

Marketable

Ton/A

Marketable

Fruit/A

Average Fruit Wt.

Sun Shine

1.51

9079

0.35

Shady Lady

0.99

5395

0.36

Florida 47

0.66

2675

0.49

BHN 22

0.63

2763

0.47

Sun Chief

0.48

2237

0.45

Carolina Gold

0.44

1711

0.53

Emperador

0.44

1886

0.36

Floralina

0.42

2105

0.46

Sun Leaper

0.37

1711

0.43

BHN 189

0.31

1491

0.42

RFT 6397

0.29

1228

0.36

STX 6611

0.28

1623

0.17

Mountain Spring

0.22

1096

0.44

RFT 6116

0.18

789

0.23

LSD

.4925

2800

0.20

Table 2. Yields from replicated Fresh Market Tomato cultivar trials: Ohio State University Extension Enterprise Center, Hillsboro, Ohio 1999

Cultivar

Seed Source

Marketable Ton/A

Marketable Fruit/A

Average Fruit Wt.

% Soluble Solids

Fruit Color

Shady Lady

SS

11.30

68409

.34

4.03

Red

Florida 47

RP

10.23

54545

.38

4.03

Red

Carolina Gold

RNK

9.68

45682

.45

4.83

Yellow

Sun Shine

RP

8.81

51818

.35

3.70

Red

BHN 22

SI

8.79

48409

.37

4.26

Red

Emperador

RP

8.78

41139

.56

4.06

Red

Floralina

RP

8.03

51136

.33

4.83

Red

BHN 189

SI

8.01

51591

.32

4.50

Red

RFT 6116

RNK

7.85

44773

.38

5.10

Red

RFT 6367

RNK

7.72

40682

.41

6.06

Red

Sun Leaper

RNK

7.26

44545

.33

4.73

Red

Mountain Spring

RP

6.01

35227

.36

5.00

Red

Sun Chief

RP

5.46

29091

.39

5.20

Red

STX 6611

SS

3.82

24545

.32

3.83

Red

LSD

N/A

4.3978

40564

0.1344

N/A

N/A

 

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