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Copyright 2005, Board of Trustees, University
of Florida

North Florida Research and Education Center
IFAS, University of Florida
Route 3 Box 4370
Quincy, FL 32351 Central Science
Library
NFREC Research Report- 90-20
MAY 2 1990
Tomato Cultivar Evaluation, Fall 1989 ty of Florida

J. M. Snell and S. M. Olson
Biological Scientist III and Associate Professor

INTRODUCTION

Fall tomato production has been on the increase in northwest Florida. In
1989 season almost 2000 acres were planted compared to about 800 acres 3 years
ago. Much of the increase was because of the release of 'Solar Set'. This
trial evaluated 13 entire for'potential production for the fall season.

Materials and Methods

This evaluation was conducted at the North Florida Research and Education
Center on Orangeburg loamy fine sand. Tomatoes were seeded in 2 in. X 2 in.
expanded polystyrene flats on June 6, 1989. Transplants were placed in the
field on July 26,. 1989. Plant spacing was 20 in. in row and 6 ft. between
rows (7,260 linear ft/A). The tomatoes were grown with white on black
polyethylene mulch and trickle irrigation. Total fertilizer applied was
181-148-211 lb/A N-P 0r-K20. Plots were one row 20-ft long and were arranged
in a randomized complete block with four replications. Weeds, insects and
diseases were controlled with timely applications of registered chemical
products. Plots were harvested from October 3 to October 24, 1989, and were
graded according to size and marketability. There were four harvests. There
were thirteen entries in the evaluation.

Results and Discussion

Table 1 is a listing of yield (25 lb cartons/A), percent marketable fruit
and average fruit weight (oz.) for all entries evaluated. Yield is shown for
medium, large, extra large and total fruit production. Extra large fruit
sells for the highest price per carton. The majority of fall tomato acreage
in north Florida is currently planted in the variety 'Solar Set'.

'Heat Wave' produced higher total yield (1990 cartons/A) than all other
entries except 'Solar Set' (1620 cartons/A). 'Heat Wave' produced higher
extra large yield (1148 cartons/A) than all other entries. 'Solar Set' (903
cartons/A) was second in extra large yield.

'Heat Wave' (73%) and 'Solar Set' (71%) had the highest percentage of
marketable fruit. There was very slight difference in average fruit weight
for all entries. Average fruit weight ranged from 5.3 to 6.1 oz./fruit.

Table 1. Yield, percentage marketable fruit and average fruit size for fall
1989 tomato evaluations.

Marketable Average
Marketable yield (25 lb cartons/A) fruit fruit weight
Entry medium large extra large total (%) (oz.)

Heat Wave 248 b-dz 594 ab 1148 a 1990 a 73.0 a 6.1 a
Solar Set 277 a-c 440 b-e 903 b 1620 a-c 71.0 a 5.9 ab
7209 234 b-d 410 c-e 861 bc 1505 b-d 60.8 bc 5.6 ab
7211 291 ab 555 a-c 637 c-f 1483 b-d 61.3 bc 5.4 b
NVH 4466 228 b-d 480 a-d 775 b-d 1483 b-d 58.6 b-d 5.8 ab
PSR 80087 253 a-d 377 de 672 b-e 1303 c-e 61.8 bc 5.8 ab
7293 183 cd 412 c-e 686 b-d 1282 c-e 62.8 b 5.9 ab
PSR 89787 194 b-d 371 de 636 c-f 1201 c-f 53.9 c-e 6.1 a
7249 149 d 300 e 709 b-d 1158 d-f 58.7 b-d 6.1 a
Sunny 172 cd 381 de 585 d-f 1139 d-f 51.0 de 5.7 ab
7248 227 b-d 356 de 435 e-g 1018 ef 57.5 b-d 5.4 b
PSR 80187 202 b-d 309 e 409 fg 920 ef 59.7 bd 6.0 a
Flora-Tom II 207 b-d 294 e 313 g 814 f 46.9 e 5.3 b

ZMean separation by Duncan's Multiple Range Test, 5% level.

Table 2. Entries and'seed sources for fall 1989 tomato evaluation.

Entry Seed Source

Flora-Tom II Petoseed Company, Inc.
Heat Wave Petoseed Company, Inc.
NVH 4466 Northrup King Co.
PSR 80087 Petoseed Company, Inc.
PSR 80187 Petoseed Company, Inc.
PSR 89787 Petoseed Company, Inc.
Solar Set Asgrow Seed Co./University of Florida
Sunny Asgrow Seed Co.
7209 Gulf Coast REC, University of Florida
7211 Gulf Coast REC, University of Florida
7248 Gulf Coast REC, University of Florida
7249 Gulf Coast REC, University of Florida
7293 Gulf Coast REC, University of Florida

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