Organic Farming Systems Research Articles

Innovative organic nutrient management and land arrangements improve soil health and productivity of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in an organic farming system

IntroductionSoil health is vital for ecosystems, but excessive use of fertilizers, chemicals, and irrigation harms soil fertility, leading to reduced yields and degradation. Thus, exploring innovative land arrangements and nutrient management for staple crops such as wheat is essential. Organic farming offers a promising solution. This study hypothesized that an appropriate land arrangement, combined with split applications of farmyard manure (FYM) and liquid organic fertilizer, can enhance wheat productivity while also improving soil health. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of different sowing methods and organic nutrient management practices on the productivity of wheat and soil health.MethodsThis study aimed to examine the impact of sowing methods and nutrient management practices on soil health and organic wheat productivity during the winter seasons of 2021–22 and 2022–23 at the Organic Farming Unit (Agronomy), Rajasthan College of Agriculture, MPUAT, Udaipur. The experiment was arranged in a split-plot design, with three land arrangements/sowing methods in the main plot and eight nutrient management approaches in the subplots.ResultsConcerning different land arrangements, the furrow irrigated raised bed sowing (FIRB) method resulted in the maximum wheat yield (4.34 t ha−1) compared with flat row sowing and zero tillage sowing. With respect to nutrient management practices, 75% of the recommended dose of N (RDN) through the FYM was basal + 25% RDN with the 1st irrigation + Jeevamrut application at 500 L ha−1 during sowing, and the 1st irrigation + Panchagavya spraying at 5% during the booting stage resulted in the highest grain yield (4.47 t ha−1). Both the zero tillage and FIRB land arrangements resulted in better soil biological activities and microbial counts than did flat sowing. The results indicate that sowing wheat via the FIRB method, with the recommended nitrogen dose applied through split applications of FYM along with liquid organic manures such as Jeevamrut and Panchagavya, can be an excellent option for organic wheat cultivation. This approach can enhance both yield and soil health.ConclusionSeventy-five percent RDN through FYM as a basal + 25% RDN during the 1st irrigation + Jeevamrut at 500 L ha−1 during sowing and the 1st irrigation + spraying of Panchagavya at 5% during the booting stage effectively increased the growth and yield of organic wheat. With respect to land arrangements, both FIRB and zero tillage resulted in better growth, yield, and soil biological properties. The practical utility of this study is the optimization of split applications of FYM and land arrangements for organic wheat cultivation.

The context‐dependent benefits of organic farming on pollinator biodiversity: A meta‐analysis

Abstract Agricultural intensification is driving declines in pollinator diversity and the degradation of pollination services worldwide. Organic management, which prohibits the use of synthetic inputs, has considerable potential for combatting these declines by enhancing biodiversity in agricultural landscapes. However, the efficacy of organic farming for promoting pollinator diversity has recently been questioned. We conducted a meta‐analysis to determine the effect of organic management on pollinator species richness and abundance. We compiled 42 studies across four continents and calculated a Hedges' g effect size for each of 76 species richness and 57 abundance observations. We then estimated average effect sizes overall and across five moderators. Species richness and abundance of pollinating insects tended to be higher in organic farms than conventional ones, with average effect sizes of 0.68 and 0.74, respectively. Landscape context, crop type, pollinator group, sampling location, and sampling method were factors impacting the response of pollinator diversity/abundance to organic farming. We found benefits for pollinator diversity from organic farming in all landscape types, with the strongest response in simple compared with more complex landscapes. Pollinator diversity benefited the most in habitats within organic cereal systems and the least in organic pastures. Among pollinator groups, bumblebee diversity benefitted the most, while moths and hoverflies showed positive but non‐significant responses. Higher pollinator diversity/abundance was detected in organic farms at various sampling locations. Transect sampling showed the greatest diversity gains among sampling methods. Synthesis and applications. Our results affirm that organic farming has positive effects for pollinator species richness and abundance, but benefits are variable and not guaranteed. We recommend that future studies adopt a standard sampling protocol and cover a larger geographic range to understand the global potential of organic farming to promote pollinator biodiversity. Efforts to increase pollinator abundance and diversity through organic farming should focus on organic systems involving cereal phases, especially within simple landscapes, for the most positive outcomes. However, due to high variability in pollinator responses alongside the challenges to achieve economic profitability from organic farming, crafting organic farming systems to specific farm‐scale opportunities and needs may be necessary.

Closing the crop yield gap between organic and conventional farming systems in Kenya: Long-term trial research indicates agronomic viability

Closing the crop yield gap between organic and conventional farming systems in Kenya: Long-term trial research indicates agronomic viability

Nigrospora solani (Amphisphaeriales, Apiosporaceae) a new endophytic species from Brazil

Nigrospora species are found in various substrates as saprobes and are associated with plants as pathogens and endophytes. In this study, we describe N. solani from healthy Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme leaves in an organic farming system in Brazil. Based on morphological data and multi-locus phylogeny using internal transcribed spacer, beta-tubulin, and translation elongation factor 1, N. solani can be recognized as a new species for further research. This anamorphic species is characterized by conidiogenous cells discrete, globose, subglobose, and or ampulliform, solitary, initially hyaline becoming pale brown with age and by conidia solitary, globose to subglobose, black, smooth, and aseptate.

Enhancing Water Use Efficiency and Carbon Profitability Through the Long-Term Impact of Sustainable Farming Systems

This study aims to enhance water use efficiency, maximize productivity, and minimize environmental impact through the implementation of sustainable agricultural systems using drip irrigation systems. It investigates the effects of biodynamic farming compared to those of organic and conventional methods over a six-year period and focuses on soil properties, water use efficiency, crop yield, and environmental and economic perspectives. Using a biodynamic farming system resulted in an average increase in water use efficiency of 1.96 and 10.67% for maize and 3.62 and 10.68% for faba bean and an increase in maize yield of 1.68 and 0.99%, while the faba bean yield reached 3.25 and 1.57% compared to the organic and conventional farming systems, respectively. The biodynamic system sequestered the highest average soil carbon of 6.16 tons/ha (which is equivalent to 22.45 tons/ha of CO2 emissions), representing a 13% increase compared to the organic system. Additionally, the biodynamic system yielded an increase in total net profit of 5.70 and 21.66% for the maize crop and 6.72 and 22.19% for the faba bean crop compared to the organic and conventional farming systems, respectively. The farming system significantly influenced the soil carbon sequestration and organic carbon.

Composition of biopesticides for crop protection – current state and prospects (review)

Aim. To summarise and analyse available information on research into biopesticide compositions aimed at enhancing their effectiveness and to assess prospects for the development of this field so as to determine the influence of components on the effectiveness of biopesticides for agricultural crop protection.This review article presents the results of studies of components included in the compositions of microorganism‐based biopesticides based on a system analysis. It is noted that the selection of biopesticide components must be carried out in accordance with the requirements for products recommended for use in ecological and organic farming systems. It is indicated that the choice of optimal formulation is associated with the characteristics of the producer strains, their trophic needs and resistance to biotic and abiotic factors and with the characteristics of the biopesticide application technology (seed treatment, application to the soil or treatment of plants during vegetation), as well as the type of equipment used.Knowledge of the basic requirements for biopesticide formulations will help maintain the viability and biological activity of microbial agents during storage of biopesticides, taking into account the sensitivity of producer strains to environmental conditions. Selection of optimal carriers, adhesives, stabilisers, thickeners and synergists, taking into account the technology of application of the biopesticide and the target pathogen, will facilitate the development and appearance on the market of new biopesticides for protecting agricultural crops from diseases.

A preliminary report of integrating sheep farming in combination with adopting biogas technology in organic rice farming systems in upland areas in Indonesia

This study aims to understand the preliminary results of integrating sheep farming in combination with adopting biogas technology in organic rice farming (ORF) systems in upland areas. The research was conducted in upland areas in Grabag Subdistrict Magelang Regency, Central Java Province (UPL1) and Kertasari Subdistrict, Tasikmalaya Regency, West Java Province (UPL2), Indonesia. At each upland area, a demo plot with a 17 m3 digester has been established, and 120 sheep were introduced. A combination of sheep and beef cattle manure was used as a biogas substrate. The soil sample of one and three-year conversion of ORF was collected, and macro and micro minerals were analyzed. The biogas quality was analyzed, including dry matter (DM), nitrogen (N), carbon (C) and nitrogen-ammonia (N-NH3). The greenhouse (GHG) emissions, including methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), and nitrous oxide (N2O), were measured. The results indicated that C-organic content at three-year conversions of ORF in UPL1 was much lower (P<0.05) than the one-year conversion. The average CH4, CO2, and N2O contents in UPL1 were 661, 477.3, and 0.16 mg/m2/day, respectively. The average CH4, CO2, and N2O contents in UPL2 were 3328, 3038 and 2.42 mg/m2/day, respectively. In UPL1, the proportion of CH4 was 52.5 %, CO2 was 47.4 %, and N2O was 0.01 % while the proportion of CH4 was 57.9 %, CO2 was 42.0 %, and N2O was 0.01 % in UPL2. To conclude, integrating sheep farming in combination with adopting biogas technology in the ORF system improves manure management and provides organic fertilizer, which subsequently reduces the use of artificial fertilizer and avoids GHG emissions.v

Study on performance of cabbage (Brassica oleraceae var. capitata L.) under different production systems

Coimbatore is located in the western part of Tamil Nadu and nestled against the foothills of the Western Ghats. This region's cool climate and favourable terrain make it ideal for cultivating hill vegetables. Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) is a significant cole crop known for its high nutritional value. Excessive chemical usage in cabbage cultivation leads to residual effects on soil and produce. This study aimed to identify the best production system for cabbage cultivation in the northwestern parts of Tamil Nadu. An experiment was conducted during the winter season of 2023-2024 at the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design (RBD) with four treatments and five replications. The organic farming system exhibited the highest values for plant height (21.47 cm), stalk length (8.49 cm), dry matter accumulation (71.34 g per plant), days to head formation (18.75 days), days to harvest (56.25 days), head diameter (17.70 cm), head compactness (33.91), head weight (945.35 g per plant) and cabbage yield (24.92 t ha-1), surpassing both conventional and natural farming systems. A similar pattern was observed in quality parameters, including TSS (6.54 °Brix), shelf life (12.21 days) and ascorbic acid content (44.26 mg per 100 g). This study highlights an efficient cabbage cultivation system in the Coimbatore region, leading to improved yield, soil health and quality.

Seaweed extract and fulvic acid application affect the biomass performance, the essential oil yield and composition of Sicilian oregano grown in an organic agricultural system

Origanum vulgare ssp. hirtum is one of the taxa used as ‘oregano’ and is medicinal and aromatic plant (MAP) utilized worldwide in various sectors. Nowadays, agricultural systems are moving towards sustainable, organic, and environmentally friendly agricultural production and biostimulants have been used in recent years as a potential strategy. The objective of this research was to investigate the influence of seaweed extract based on Aschophyllum nodosum (AN) and fulvic acid (FA), applied with two different doses, on morphological parameters, fresh and dry yield, essential oil (EO) traits, total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity (AA) and rosmarinic acid content (RAC) of organic oregano. Two-year experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design with one main factor (foliar biostimulant) and 3 replicates. In AN- and FA-treated plants, increases in fresh biomass between 0.3 and 8.4 t ha−1 and in dry biomass between 0.5 and 3.0 t ha−1 were observed. The application of the lowest doses of fulvic acid (FA4) produced the highest EO contents (3.49 % and 3.46 %) and EO yields (73.3 and 97.4 kg ha−1) in both years. The application of the lowest doses of FA produced an increase (on average 4 %) in thymol content. Biostimulant application generated contrasting response, and, in some cases, a reduction in some chemical parameters compared with control plants. The findings of this study contribute to add novelty in cultivation of oregano. The application of low doses of AN and FA allows to increase yields and improve some qualities of the secondary metabolites from organic oregano.

Antioxidant, Nutritional Properties, Microbiological, and Health Safety of Juice from Organic and Conventional 'Solaris' Wine (Vitis vinifera L.) Farming.

This study investigated the technological parameters, microbiological, and functional properties of juice from Solaris grapes grown under conventional and organic farming systems to assess how these cultivation methods influence juice quality. The one-year study focused on key aspects such as the levels of health-promoting polyphenols, the presence of mycotoxins, and pesticide residues. Organic grapes showed greater bacterial and fungal diversity, with significant differences in dominant genera. Sphingomonas and Massilia were the predominant bacteria across both systems, while Erysiphe was more common in conventional grapes, and Aureobasidium was abundant in both. Despite the presence of genes for mycotoxin production, no mycotoxins were detected in the juice or pomace. Organic juice exhibited significantly higher levels of polyphenols, leading to enhanced antioxidant properties and improved technological characteristics, including lower acidity and higher nitrogen content. However, residues of sulfur and copper, used in organic farming, were detected in the juice, while conventional juice contained synthetic pesticide residues like cyprodinil and fludioxonil. These findings highlight that while organic juice offers better quality and safety in terms of polyphenol content and antioxidant activity, it also carries risks related to residues from organic treatments, and conventional juice poses risks due to synthetic pesticide contamination.

Assessing pesticide residue occurrence and risks in the environment across Europe and Argentina

The widespread and extensive use of pesticides in European crop production to reduce losses from weeds, diseases, and insects may have serious consequences on the ecosystem and human health. This study aimed to identify 20 active substances of high health risk, based on their detection frequency within and across the environmental matrices (soil, crop, water, and sediment) and to identify their associated hazardous effects. A sampling campaign was conducted across 10 case study sites in Europe and 1 in Argentina and included conventional and organic farming systems. In 31% of cases, the detected substances were found at a higher concentration in the soil than in the corresponding crops, 93% of the compounds were fungicides, and the remainder were insecticides. 43% of the substances, 57% of which were insecticides, were detected only in soil. There was a clear relationship between soils and crops in terms of contamination, but not between water and sediment. Portuguese soil (wine grapes) had the highest number of substances (12) with average concentrations (AC) varying between 1 and 162 μg/kg, followed by French (11 substances in wine grapes) (1≤AC≤64 μg/kg) and Spanish soils (9 substances in vegetables) (3≤AC≤59 μg/kg). The crops corresponding to these soils contained a relatively high number of detected substances and several in high average concentrations (AC). The risk quotient was consistently higher for conventional farms than for organic farms. For the soils from conventional farms, 5 active substances (chlorpyrifos, glyphosate, boscalid, difenoconazole, lambda-cyhalothrin, and one metabolite: AMPA) were considered high risk. For water samples, 2 substances (dieldrin and terbuthylazine) found were high risk, and for sediment, there were 3 substances (metalaxyl-M, spiroxamine, and lambda-cyhalothrin). There were 6 substances detected in crops that are suspected to cause human health effects. Uncontaminated soil is a prerequisite for the adoption of sustainable alternatives to pesticides. Efforts are needed to elucidate the unknown effects of mixtures, including biocides and banned compounds in addition to the substances used in agriculture.

Barriers of adopting sustainable soil management practices for organic and conventional farming systems

There is a general consensus among stakeholders about the benefits of sustainable soil management practices for soil health, yet their implementation lags behind expectations. The aim of this paper is to analyse factors supporting or hindering the implementation of sustainable soil management practices in conventional and organic farming systems. This is achieved using a Logit model, based on penalized maximum likelihood estimation on survey data by 76 farmers from 10 federal states in Germany. Affected factors were categorized in two main groups: agricultural soil management practices, and barriers to their implementation. The measures for soil improving agricultural management included (I) structural landscape elements, (II) organic fertilization, (III) diversified crop rotation, (IV) permanent soil cover (V) conservation tillage, (VI) reduced weight pressure, and (VII) optimized timing of wheeling. Results show differences in preferences between conventional and organic farmers for key sustainable soil management practices, including conservation tillage, optimized wheeling timing, reduced weight pressure, and diversified crop rotation. Economic constraints decrease crop rotation diversification in conventional systems by 14%. Conservation tillage raises the chance of a farm being conventional by 16%, while optimizing wheeling timing reduces it by 60%, highlighting soil compaction concerns among organic farmers. Marginal effects confirm that economic factors, not knowledge, are the main barriers to sustainable soil management. Inconsistent policies, lack of support, and insufficient financial incentives from government institutions can hinder the willingness of farmers to adopt these practices, further exacerbating the barriers to adoption.

Characterization of differences in seed endophytic microbiome in conventional and organic rice by amplicon-based sequencing and culturing methods.

In this paper, we studied the differences in the endophytic microbial composition of rice seeds grown in conventional and organic farming systems. Our results demonstrate a greater bacterial diversity in conventional farming, while organic farming showcases a higher fungal diversity. Additionally, our research reveals the ability of seed bacterial endophytes to inhibit the growth of three fungal pathogens responsible for causing seedling blight in rice. This study provides valuable insights into the potential use of beneficial seed microbial endophytes for developing a novel microbiome-based strategy in the management of rice diseases. Such an approach has the potential to enhance overall plant health and improve crop productivity.

Activity of Common Thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.), Greek Oregano (Origanum vulgare L. ssp. hirtum), and Common Oregano (Origanum vulgare L. ssp. vulgare) Essential Oils against Selected Phytopathogens.

The aim of this study was to determine the activity of common thyme (Thymus vulgare L.), Greek oregano (Origanum vulgare L. ssp. hirtum), and common oregano (Origanum vulgare L. ssp. vulgare) essential oils (EOs) against selected phytopathogenic microorganisms in relation to their chemical profile. The EOs were obtained from the herbs of 2-year-old plants cultivated in the organic farming system in a temperate climate in Central Europe. The EOs' composition was determined by GC/MS and GC/FID. The investigated species were represented by the following three chemotypes: 'thymol' for common thyme, 'carvacrol' for Greek oregano, and mixed 'caryophyllene oxide + β-caryophyllene' for common oregano. The antimicrobial activity of the EOs was assessed based on minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal/fungicidal concentration (MBC/MFC) values. The plant pathogenic bacteria Pseudomonas syringae, Xanthomonas hortorum, Erwinia carotovora, and fungi: Fusarium culmorum, Alternaria alternata, Botrytis cinerea, Epicoccum purpurascens, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Phoma strasseri, and Pythium debaryanum were tested. The EOs revealed a stronger inhibitory effect against fungal growth in comparison to bacterial growth (MIC: 0.016-2 µL/mL for fungi and 0.125-4 µL/mL for bacteria). Common thyme and Greek oregano EOs indicated stronger antimicrobial power than common oregano EO. These results were associated with the chemical profile of the analysed EOs. The growth of examined bacteria and fungi strains (in particular, X. hortorum, F. culmorum, and P. debaryanum) were negatively correlated with the content of phenolic monoterpenes and monoterpene hydrocarbons. Among the tested strains, P. strasseri turned out to be the most sensitive (MIC 0.016 µL/mL) and E. carotovora the most resistant (MIC 0.250-4 µL/mL) to all investigated EOs.

Integrated Management of Sclerotinia Stem Rot of Soybean Including Organically-Allowed Fungicides in the Midwest United States

Sclerotinia stem rot (SSR) is an economically important disease of soybean, especially in the Great Lakes region of the United States. Few studies on SSR have considered organic management practices and how integrated management techniques best apply in these systems. Trials in Wisconsin and Indiana aimed to evaluate management techniques available to organic farmers for their efficacy in SSR control while preserving yield. The practices evaluated included genetically resistant cultivars, tillage techniques, and the application of Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) listed foliar fungicides. The resistant cultivar had significantly lower SSR than the susceptible cultivar in three site-years (P < 0.01). The resistant cultivar also had significantly greater yield than the susceptible cultivar in two site-years (P < 0.05). Using a roller-crimped rye cover crop resulted in mixed results on SSR and yield. No effect on SSR or yield by OMRI listed foliar fungicides was observed (P > 0.05). Overall, the results emphasize the importance of planting a resistant soybean cultivar to manage SSR in organic farming systems in the Midwestern United States.

Conventional agriculture affects sex communication and impacts local population size in a wild bee

Man-made agricultural stressors have been identified to compromise the reproductive dynamics of bee populations within agricultural environments. With the aid of bee hotels, we explored the influence of conventional and organic farming systems on local population size and body traits of the mason bee, Osmia bicornis, in southern Germany. We further used a chemical ecology approach and bioassays to test whether farming management influence male pre-copulatory behaviors. We observed a positive relationship between the extent of organic agriculture in the landscape and both overall brood cell production and nesting frequency. Moreover, farming systems were found to influence body traits, with bees from organic sites being smaller in size and having a different cuticular hydrocarbon composition compared with those at conventional sites. Bioassays revealed that males were more sexually attracted to freeze-killed females from conventional sites compared with those from organic sites. Intriguingly, treating females from organic fields with synthetic semiochemicals enhanced their sexual attraction to levels comparable with females from conventional sites. Our findings shed light on the intricate interplay between farming practices and the reproductive behaviors of wild mason bees, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive understanding of these dynamics for effective conservation and management strategies.

Integrated Chemometrics and Data-Independent Acquisition Proteomics for the Discovery of Meat Authenticity Biomarkers: A Study on Early Post-Mortem Pectoralis major Muscle Proteomes of Ross 308 and Ranger Classic Chicken Produced by Organic versus Antibiotic-Free Farming Systems.

Many factors, such as the farming systems and preslaughter rearing practices, can influence the physiological and metabolic functions of poultry with consequent effects on poultry meat quality. In this trial, label-free shotgun proteomics was used to analyze the early post-mortem Pectoralis major muscle proteomes of Ross 308 and Ranger Classic chicken strains raised under two divergent farming systems these being organic and antibiotic-free. The combination of chemometrics using partial-least-square discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and shotgun proteomics allowed clear discrimination between the different groups. Chicken strains were discriminated by differences in the abundance of 73 and 62 proteins within the antibiotic-free and organic farming systems, respectively. The abundances of 71 and 52 proteins were impacted by the farming system within the Ross 308 and Ranger Classic chicken strains, respectively. The analyses allowed for the proposal of several putative biomarkers of meat authenticity, which were found to be related to muscle structure and energy metabolism pathways. This study is a significant step forward in elucidating the potential of proteomics profiling and chemometrics in chicken meat, which may provide opportunities for the efficient assessment of chicken authenticity.

Crop rotation diversity and tillage effects on soil and wheat grain nutrient concentration in an organically-managed system

Consumer demand for high quality organic produce in Canada has in recent years contributed to the development of a more sustainable organic agriculture system that increased productivity without decreasing soil fertility. The objective of this 4-yr field study was to determine if an organic system with diversified crop rotations under reduced tillage would produce high quality spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grain and improve soil fertility. A simplified rotation (SR) consisting of a forage pea (Pisum sativum L.) green manure (GM)-spring wheat sequence and a diversified rotation (DR, forage pea GM-oilseed-pulse crop-spring wheat sequence) were compared under two tillage intensities (high tillage [HT] and low tillage [LT]). The oilseed alternated between mustard (Sinapis alba L.) and flax (Linum usitatissimum L.), and the pulse alternated between field pea and lentil (Lens culinaris L.). Generally, nutrient concentrations in wheat grain were mostly significantly higher under LT than HT and in the DR compared with the SR. In addition, tillage-rotation system influenced soil zinc, calcium, magnesium, and sodium concentrations. However, grain Cd concentration was higher in the LT treatment under the DR sequence relative to other treatments. Our results indicate that organically managed diversified crop rotations under reduced tillage can produce wheat grains with high nutritional value for humans and livestock but may not increase soil micronutrient concentrations.

Impact of natural and organic farming systems on growth, yield and economics of greengram

Impact of natural and organic farming systems on growth, yield and economics of greengram

Improved Tomato Breeding Lines Adapted to Organic Farming Systems Have Enhanced Flavor, Yield, and Disease Resistance

Most of the tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) varieties currently used in organic farming were bred for conventional farming, often characterized by high-input use. These varieties do not perform as well in low-input organic systems, generating the need to develop varieties that are adapted to organic management systems. This project focused on improving flavor, disease resistance, and yield, all identified as key traits by organic tomato farmers in the Upper Midwest, USA. Ten advanced tomato breeding lines and two check varieties were developed and evaluated for 16 traits in organic high tunnel systems in 2020 and 2021. The line CSDE-F6.47 averaged 6.32 kg/plant and obtained high flavor intensity and overall flavor scores (3.78 and 3.69 out of 5, respectively). The line JBDE-F5.31 was another outstanding line, with a yield of 5.18 kg/plant, with good flavor intensity (3.32) and overall flavor (2.92) scores. Broad-sense heritability of marketable weight per plant was high (0.91), and the genetic variance was also high, which shows the opportunity to continue to increase the marketable weight in lines with excellent flavor. A significant positive correlation was found between overall flavor and °Brix (0.56), and titratable acidity (0.70), indicating that both measurements can be good predictors of overall flavor. The most promising lines will be further evaluated on-farm to evaluate their potential as releasable varieties.