Tomato and Tomatillo Field Trials in An Organic Transitioning Site On the Delmarva Peninsula

Organic food sales and consumers’ demand for organic food have been increasing rapidly in recent years due to environmental and health concerns of consumers. On the Delmarva Peninsula (Delaware, Maryland and Virginia), limited quantities of organic produce can be found in the produce section of grocery stores, farmer markets and other sales outlets.   Organic crop production in this region is low because few growers have organically certified farms.  This study was conducted to initiate the transition of a 2-acre conventional university farm site to an organic production site, which will serve as an organic research and demonstration location to provide information and encourage local farmers to transition to organic production.  A field trial of tomatoes, (Lycopersicon esculentum) and tomatillos, (Physalis philadelphica) was conducted in the summer of 2009 where six tomato cultivars (Beefsteak, Cherokee Purple, Cherry Sweetie, Debarao Plum, Roma and Tomato Mater Sandwich) and two tomatillo cultivars(Green Tomatillo and Purple Tomatillo) were planted in a complete randomized experiment with four replications for each treatment. Data were collected on yield characteristics and pest injury. Tomato cultivars differed significantly in their marketable fruit yield. Cherry Sweetie tomato and the two tomatillo cultivars produced the highest percentage (60% or more) of marketable Grade 1 yield. Pest damage to plants and fruits was less than 20%. This study indicates that more research is needed to improve the percentage of Grade 1 marketable fruits of these tomato and tomatillo cultivars.