Abstract
Abstract The Southern Tomato Exchange Program (STEP trials) was begun in October 1945 by a group of state and federal scientists for cooperative tests of tomato breeding lines. The program was made a part of the Southern Cooperative Vegetable Trials, which are now under sponsorship of the Southern Section of the American Society for Horticultural Science. Participation includes about 20 people representing 16 states, Puerto Rico, and the U. S. Department of Agriculture. In 1968, the STEP trials were separated into two sections, one for fresh-market types and another for processing types. In 1973, the decision was made to add a section for testing lines developed especially for once-over machine-harvesting for fresh market. So far, in the fresh-market section of the trials, 621 tomato lines have been tested, 50 of which were released as cultivars. That yields from the best entries in the trials have almost doubled over the years may be attributed largely to their resistance to diseases. It is anticipated that the STEP trials will continue to serve as a medium for cooperation among tomato breeders.
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