Tomatoes are one of our most popular vegetables and the pride of many gardeners' summer vegetable patch. As many of us have discovered, pests and diseases can make growing a bountiful tomato crop in North Carolina challenging. To help identify tomato varieties that are less problem-prone, NC State Extension Master Gardener℠ volunteers are trialing three new disease-resistant varieties developed by NC State plant breeders.
The tomato varieties under evaluation were bred and selected by NC State Fresh Market Tomato Breeding Program team members Dilip Panthee, Reza Shekasteband, and Randolph Gardener. They are:- ‘Mountain Regina’ - A variety with an indeterminate growth habit that bears large, red fruit.
- ‘Mountain Heritage’ - Another indeterminate variety that produces large, pink fruit similar in shape to those borne by ‘Cherokee Purple.’
- ‘NC1012’ - A determinate variety with large red fruit.
Also included in the trial is ‘Cherokee Purple,’ an heirloom variety with indeterminate growth and large, purple fruit. As with many heirloom varieties, ‘Cherokee Purple’ has little disease resistance and is grown mainly for its superior flavor. The performance and taste of the new disease-resistant varieties will be compared to this long-time favorite.
The trial, which evaluates varieties based on yield, harvest window, pest and disease tolerance, taste, and appearance, was designed by Matt Jones, N.C. Cooperative Extension horticulture agent in Chatham County, and Inga Meadows, NC State Extension Specialist for vegetable and herbaceous ornamental plant pathology. The ultimate goal is to determine which varieties are the tastiest, most productive, and best suited for growing in home and community gardens.
