Developing Value-added Practices and Branding for High-Sugar Tomatoes

Abstract

Research was initiated at the N.C. State Univ. Horticultural Field Laboratory, Raleigh, to identify cultural practices and tomato cultivars giving superior taste under North Carolina greenhouse conditions. The specialty cultivars `67', `Diana', `Elegance', `Momotaro', and `S630' were grown and harvested, as well as `Trust', which is grown on 85% of the North American greenhouse tomato acreage. Additionally, two fertilizer regimes were provided to the plants: standard greenhouse tomato fertilization (EC ≈1.75 dS·m-1) or high fertilization (EC ≈3.75 dS·m-1). Fertilizers were the same in both treatments. Seeds were started in October 2002 and transplanted, 2 per pot, into `Bato' buckets containing perlite in November. Standard cultural practices were followed, and plants were fertigated using the Harrow Fertigation Manager™ system. Taste tests conducted on three dates revealed differences among cultivars, with `67', `Elegance' and `Momotaro' consistently scoring well. Overall, all test varieties were scored higher than `Trust'; however flavor was somewhat less sweet than anticipated, especially early in the season, averaging 2-3 on a scale of 5, where 5 was “best”. No significant differences were seen between the standard and high fertilization treatments. Differences in total harvest weight were seen among cultivars. `Elegance' and `67' produced fruit consistently well through the harvest season, while the remaining cultivars' yields were sporadic. Harvested fruit were homogenized, and Brix was measured as an indicator of fruit quality. Significant differences in Brix were seen among the cultivars, with `67' significantly higher than all other varieties and `Elegance' and `Momotaro' higher than the remaining cultivars. All specialty cultivars had higher °Brix than `Trust'.