Participatory Approach to Variety Selection Using Tomato As a Model

Participatory varietal selection is an approach that engages local growers in the selection of varieties that are best matched to their specific needs. In local food systems, consumers demand organic fruit with good flavor. Tomato growers often turn to heirloom varieties to meet this demand, but these varieties are susceptible to pathogens and other physiological disorders like catfacing. New high-yielding hybrid varieties have been developed that are resistant to pathogens and physiological disorders, but they often lack the flavor consumers are looking for. In addition, many organic growers prefer to save seed for planting in subsequent years. We conducted this project to identify important traits and select tomato varieties best adapted to organic production systems in the Midwest U.S. An on-line survey was used to identify desirable plant traits and determine whether organic and conventional growers differed in their preferences. Based on this information, thirty-six entries were selected and screened under organic management for two years using a randomized complete block design with four replicates. Each plot contained six tomato plants. The entries included heirloom, open-pollinated, and hybrid varieties, as well as several breeding populations. Early vigor, pest resistance, yield and fruit quality were recorded at multiple time points during each growing season. We identified several open-pollinated varieties that hold desirable traits and are well adapted to organic production systems in the Midwest. We also selected individual plants with desirable traits from our segregating breeding populations, and advanced accessions are now being evaluated in on-farm variety trials to develop improved tomato varieties.