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News
from Queensland, Australia |
Grower Solutions
Magazine
Lefroy Valley
Dec 2001
ANGIE
BEST IN BUNDABERG TOMATO
TRIAL
In July
this year 20 new and commercial tomato varieties were
trialed at the Bundaberg DPI research farm with some
outstanding performers emerging. With infections of
Fusarium race 3 having effected commercial crops in the
district over the last 12 - 18 months, focus for this
trial was to compare performance of the recently
released F3 resistant varieties to the standard lines.
Most tomato growers in
the area visited the trial site to view and evaluate the
varieties with some growers traveling from other regions
to look at the varieties on display.
Conditions for the
trial were warm at the time of planting in autumn with
low to moderate rainfall in the early stages. Prior to
maturity, conditions were very dry and cool with
fluctuating temperatures.
How
the varieties performed:
The first ranking of
the F3 varieties was awarded to Angie (FA1431) due
mainly to consistency in fruit uniformity and the high
overall yield of the crop. Fruit size was quite large
with a number of fruit measuring 180- 200 grams. Fruit
size in the top of the plant was another category that
Angie scored well on. Fruit do not have a green
shoulder, which was another advantage, setting Angie
above the rest. In commercial plantings and in the
trials situated at the Bowen DPI last season Angie has
consistently been ranked 1st.
Bundaberg growers, Kevin Steinhardt & Andrew
Philip discussing new tomato
varieties
with Zvi Wener (Hazera Genetics) and Chris
Newmarch (Lefroy Valley) |
Ranked
2nd in the F3 section was the large fruited variety
Belinda (FA 1432). Belinda displayed 2 outstanding
strengths. The first is strong plant vigour making it
suitable for difficult production periods, particularly
coming out of cool weather or going into cool weather
conditions where extra plant vigour is an advantage. The
extra power of the plant seems to encourage large fruit
size and the plants were able to hold very good size
even in the top of the bush. Belinda should also suit
growers who adopt minimal pruning practices of only 1- 2
times.
Of the
standard F2 gourmet varieties the best performer was
Gabriela (FA 593). Fruit numbers were high with very
good uniformity and no green shoulder.
Trials
of the new F3 varieties have been ongoing in the Bowen,
Lockyer, and Bundaberg districts for the last 3 years
and commercial production large-scale commenced in Bowen
this season.
Although the varieties have the added advantage of
resistance to Fusarium race 3
they offer growers who do not have a problem with F3
improved fruit size and consistency to compete with
current F2 varieties. |
