On-farm Evaluation of Fresh Market Tomato Cultivars for Summer Field Production

High summer temperatures pose a significant challenge to field-grown tomato production in Oklahoma.  In recent years many growers experienced substantial crop losses due to low levels of fruit set in spring planted crops.  With the objective of identifying cultivars that can be recommended for summer field production in Oklahoma, trials were initiated in 2012 through cooperation with commercial producers to evaluate tomato cultivars for fruit productivity.  Cultivars were selected for use in the trials based on advertised high temperature fruit set capabilities.  Trial sites were selected to represent current commercial production locations and systems.  All tomato transplants were grown in Oklahoma State University research greenhouses and distributed to cooperators.  Tomatoes were transplanted into fields using plastic mulch with drip irrigation at all locations except for 1 site in 2013 in which case organic mulch was used.  All trials used 3 replications.  The 2012 cultivars were Bella Rosa, Biltmore, Florida 91, Red Bounty, Red Defender, Red Deuce, Redline, Rocky Top, Solar Fire, Tasti-Lee, Tribeca and Tribute.  Based on 2012 results and grower preferences, the 2013 cultivars were Bella Rosa, BHN-964, Charger, Florida 91, Rocky Top, Solar Fire, Sunkeeper, Tasti-Lee, Top Gun, Tribeca, Tribute and Volante.  A reduced cultivar number was used at one location in 2013 which included Bella Rosa, Solar Fire, Sunkeeper, Tasti-Lee and Volante, plus BHN-1064 which was not used in the other trials.    Several cultivars were among the top performers in both years.  Solar Fire was among the top three cultivars at one location in 2012 and three locations in 2013 and was among the better performers at other locations.  Bella Rosa and Tribeca were each among the top five cultivars at one location in 2012 and three locations in 2013.  Tribute was also among the top five cultivars in both trials in 2012 and at two locations in 2013.  Trials will be established again in 2014 to further ascertain the productivity of fresh market tomatoes under Oklahoma field conditions.  At the website http://www.hortla.okstate.edu/research-and-outreach/research/vegetable-trial-reports trial details can be viewed.