Tomato Trials
Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2008 4:40 pm
Not sure if I should post this but I think it ends up on the public part of RHS website. I have had an ongoing email correspondence with the RHS about how long it takes for the full trial reports to be published. As a result they have sent me the text of two upcoming reports on Tomatoes and Courgettes as Word documents from 2007 trials. They are interesting for the cultivation methods as well as the results so I have partially copied them here.
The objectives of the trial were to compare and assess a range of cherry and cherry-plum tomato cultivars, grown in the plastic tunnel; to recommend the Award of Garden Merit to outstanding cultivars for garden use and to demonstrate the cultivation of this a crop.
Cultivation:The ground in the tunnel was conditioned using a crop of Caliente Mustard, which has been specially bred to have significant fumigant properties. This crop was sown in mid October, then watered and cut down in spring 2007 before being rotavated in and sealed under black polythene for two weeks. Once in contact with moist soil the chopped plant material breaks down to release biologically active compounds that help to suppress weeds, root rot, nematodes (eelworm) and Veritcillium wilt. Once the covers were removed, the soil was raked in ready for planting.
Seed was sown under glass on 9 April onto pans of peat-free compost, covered with medium vermiculite and watered in with Revive (a product that contains natural soil micro-organisms, which encourage soil fertility and healthy plant growth). The seed was germinated at 20ºC and when large enough to handle, pricked out into 9cm square pots of peat-free potting compost. The seedlings were grown on at 15ºC in a greenhouse where a biological control programme was used to combat aphids, white fly and red spider mite
Six plants of each entry were spaced out in the plastic tunnel on 14 May to await flowering before being planted into the soil on 29 May; 44cm apart in double rows, with 80cm between rows and paths of 120cm wide. A drip irrigation system was installed and, once the first truss started to swell, a regular liquid feed was given through a diluter as necessary. The plants were stopped at 2m / eight or nine trusses.
Judging: The Vegetable Trials Subcommittee inspected the trial at intervals throughout the growing season. They assessed the plants and tasted the fruits on 9 and 29 August for the Award of Garden Merit [AGM]. The Subcommittee considered the following criteria: flavour : skin quality : quantity of pips in fruit : uniformity of fruit
shape : colour : abundance of fruit per plant :
earliness : plant habit
Findings: The Subcommittee inspected the plants in the plastic tunnel, assessing and tasting the fruits. They also studied the cropping records and the results of the brix tests, which analyse and measure the percentage of sugar in a given sample. The flavour of a tomato very much depends upon the balance between sweetness and acidity. The Subcommittee discussed the criteria for a tomato to be categorised as "cherry". While the generally accepted size was 35mm or less in diameter, it was noted that this was quite flexible and may be changed by future EU rulings. It was noted that lower light levels resulting from the wet summer had effected plant growth and the sweetness of the fruit. The plants had been stopped at eight trusses, rather than the usual six, as it was hoped that the weather and light levels would improve in the late summer enabling fruit to ripen for the Autumn Show. The plants did continue to crop well until the 17 October, when the trial was cleared.
Entries receiving The Award of Garden Merit (H2)
'Apero' AGM (H2) 2007. Sent by A L Tozer Ltd, Pyports, Downside Bridge Road, Cobham, Surrey KT11 3EH.
Fruit is shiny, red and slightly oval; average size 3cm diameter, 3.5cm long; average weight of a single fruit 18.7g. First picked 31 July. Average plant produced a crop of 135 ripe fruits, with around 21 fruits per truss. Brix-test result: 9.5% average sugar content
Good yield of oval fruits on compact trusses. Good flavour.
Available in one retail catalogue.
'Favorita' AGM (H2) 2007. Sent by and available from Johnsons Seeds, Gazeley Road, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 7QB.
Fruit is shiny, red and slightly oval; average size 3.2cm diameter, 3.5cm long; average weight of a single fruit 21.2g. First picked 31 July. Average plant produced a crop of 123 ripe fruits, with around 25 fruits per truss. Brix-test result: 8.8% average sugar content
High yield of attractive, round/oval fruits. Very sweet flavour.
Available in one retail catalogue.
'Golden Sweet' AGM (H2) 2007. Sent by and available from Thompson & Morgan Ltd, Poplar Lane, Ipswich, Suffolk IP8 3BU.
Fruit is shiny, yellow and oval; average size 2.5cm diameter, 4cm long; average weight of a single fruit 17.9g. First picked 31 July. Average plant produced a crop of 107 ripe fruits, with around 21 fruits per truss. Brix-test result: 10% average sugar content
Good yield of attractive, yellow plum-cherry tomatoes. Good flavour and texture.
Available in two retail catalogues.
'Jasper' AGM (H2) 2007. Sent by and available from Mr Fothergill's Seeds, Gazeley Road, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 7QB.
Fruit is shiny, red and round; average size 3.4cm diameter, 3.2cm long; average weight of a single fruit 21.8g. First picked 31 July. Average plant produced a crop of 106 ripe fruits, with around 27 fruits per truss. Brix-test result: 9% average sugar content
Good yield of round fruits. Very good flavour.
Widely available.
'Nectar' AGM (H2) 2007, previous award AGM (H3) 1998. Sent by and available from Mr Fothergill's Seeds, Gazeley Road, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 7QB.
Fruit is shiny, red and round; average size 3cm diameter, 3cm long; average weight of a single fruit 16.7g. First picked 31 July. Average plant produced 177 ripe fruits, with around 28 fruits per truss. Brix-test result: 9.1% average sugar content.
Good yield from tidy plants with long trusses. Very good flavour.
Available in three retail catalogues.
'Piccolo' AGM (H2) 2007. Sent by Pro-Veg Seeds Ltd, 6 Shingay Lane, Sawston, Cambridge CB2 4SS.
Fruit is shiny, red and round; average size 3cm diameter, 3cm long; average weight of a single fruit 18.2g. First picked 31 July. Average plant produced a crop of 112 ripe fruits, with around 42 fruits per truss. Brix-test result: 10.1% average sugar content
Good yield. Small, cocktail sized fruits with very good flavour.
Widely available.
'Rosada' AGM (H2) 2007. Sent by and available from Thompson & Morgan Ltd, Poplar Lane, Ipswich, Suffolk IP8 3BU.
Fruit is shiny, red and a long-oval; average size 2.5cm diameter, 4cm long; average weight of a single fruit 15.5g. First picked 8 August. Average plant produced 143 ripe fruits, with around 24 fruits per truss. Brix-test result: 10.5% average sugar content.
Good yield of bright red, long plum-cherry tomatoes. Good, sweet flavour.
Available in one catalogue.
'Sakura' AGM (H2) 2007. Sent by and available from Johnsons Seeds, Gazeley Road, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 7QB.
Fruit is shiny, red and round; average size 3.2cm diameter, 3.2cm long; average weight of a single fruit 22.3g. First picked 31 July. Average plant produced a crop of 165 ripe fruits, with around 37 fruits per truss. Brix-test result: 8.8% average sugar content
High yield. Very bright fruits carried on long trusses. Very sweet flavour.
Widely available.
'Suncherry Premium' AGM (H2) 2007. Sent by A L Tozer Ltd, Pyports, Downside Bridge Road, Cobham, Surrey KT11 3EH.
Fruit is shiny, red and a slightly-flattened round; average size 3.5cm diameter, 3cm long; average weight of a single fruit 20.9g. First picked 31 July. Average plant produced 126 ripe fruits, with around 31 fruits per truss. Brix-test result: 9.2% average sugar content.
High yield. Attractive shiny fruits are uniform in size. Good flavour.
Available in one retail catalogue.
'Sungold' AGM (H2) 2007. Sent by and available from D T Brown & Co, Bury Road, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 7PQ.
Fruit is shiny, orange-yellow and round; average size 3cm diameter, 2.7cm long; average weight of a single fruit 13.3g. First picked 31 July. Average plant produced 120 ripe fruits, with around 22 fruits per truss. Brix-test result: 9.3% average sugar content.
Good yield of attractive round, golden-orange fruits. Good flavour.
Widely available.
'Sunset' AGM (H2) 2007, previous AGM (H3) 1998. Sent by and available from Mr Fothergill's Seeds, Gazeley Road, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 7QB.
Fruit is shiny, orange-yellow and round; average size 3cm diameter, 3cm long; average weight of a single fruit 13.9g. First picked 8 August. Average plant produced 165 ripe fruits, with around 33 fruits per truss. Brix-test result: 9.7% average sugar content.
Good yield of attractive golden-orange cherry tomatoes. Good, sweet flavour.
Available in one retail catalogue.
The following entries have been recommended for the AGM , but cannot receive the award until they are available to the public in retail catalogues. It is the responsibility of the sender to inform the Trials Office at Wisley that all queries have been resolved.
SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY:
'Cherrola' Sent by John Bertinat Seeds Ltd, Bankfield House, 39 Bure Way, Aylsham, Norfolk NR11 6HL.
Fruit is shiny, red and round; average size 3.2cm diameter, 3cm long; average weight of a single fruit 18.1g. First picked 31 July. Average plant produced a crop of 157 ripe fruits, with around 27 fruits per truss. Brix-test result: 9% average sugar content
High yield, with attractive fruit well spaced on long trusses. Nice flavour.
Not yet available in retail.
'Extra Sweetie' Sent by Bakker Brothers, Oostelÿke Randweg 12, 1723 LH Noord-Scharwoude, Netherlands.
Fruit is shiny, red and slightly oval; average size 2.5cm diameter, 3cm long; average weight of a single fruit 11.5g. First picked 31 July. Average plant produced a crop of 193 ripe fruits, with around 93 fruits per truss. Brix-test result: 8.5% average sugar content
Good yield. Attractive, shiny, mini-cherry/grape tomatoes, with nice flavour.
Not yet available in retail.
'Pepe' Sent by Takii Europe B V, Hoofdweg 19, 1424 PC de Kwakel, Netherlands.
First picked 31 July. Fruit is shiny, red and round; average size 3cm diameter, 3cm long; average weight of a single fruit 15.4g. Average plant produced a crop of 165 ripe fruits, with around 31 fruits per truss. Brix-test result: 9% average sugar content.
High yield. Excellent flavour.
Not yet available in retail.
The objectives of the trial were to compare and assess a range of cherry and cherry-plum tomato cultivars, grown in the plastic tunnel; to recommend the Award of Garden Merit to outstanding cultivars for garden use and to demonstrate the cultivation of this a crop.
Cultivation:The ground in the tunnel was conditioned using a crop of Caliente Mustard, which has been specially bred to have significant fumigant properties. This crop was sown in mid October, then watered and cut down in spring 2007 before being rotavated in and sealed under black polythene for two weeks. Once in contact with moist soil the chopped plant material breaks down to release biologically active compounds that help to suppress weeds, root rot, nematodes (eelworm) and Veritcillium wilt. Once the covers were removed, the soil was raked in ready for planting.
Seed was sown under glass on 9 April onto pans of peat-free compost, covered with medium vermiculite and watered in with Revive (a product that contains natural soil micro-organisms, which encourage soil fertility and healthy plant growth). The seed was germinated at 20ºC and when large enough to handle, pricked out into 9cm square pots of peat-free potting compost. The seedlings were grown on at 15ºC in a greenhouse where a biological control programme was used to combat aphids, white fly and red spider mite
Six plants of each entry were spaced out in the plastic tunnel on 14 May to await flowering before being planted into the soil on 29 May; 44cm apart in double rows, with 80cm between rows and paths of 120cm wide. A drip irrigation system was installed and, once the first truss started to swell, a regular liquid feed was given through a diluter as necessary. The plants were stopped at 2m / eight or nine trusses.
Judging: The Vegetable Trials Subcommittee inspected the trial at intervals throughout the growing season. They assessed the plants and tasted the fruits on 9 and 29 August for the Award of Garden Merit [AGM]. The Subcommittee considered the following criteria: flavour : skin quality : quantity of pips in fruit : uniformity of fruit
shape : colour : abundance of fruit per plant :
earliness : plant habit
Findings: The Subcommittee inspected the plants in the plastic tunnel, assessing and tasting the fruits. They also studied the cropping records and the results of the brix tests, which analyse and measure the percentage of sugar in a given sample. The flavour of a tomato very much depends upon the balance between sweetness and acidity. The Subcommittee discussed the criteria for a tomato to be categorised as "cherry". While the generally accepted size was 35mm or less in diameter, it was noted that this was quite flexible and may be changed by future EU rulings. It was noted that lower light levels resulting from the wet summer had effected plant growth and the sweetness of the fruit. The plants had been stopped at eight trusses, rather than the usual six, as it was hoped that the weather and light levels would improve in the late summer enabling fruit to ripen for the Autumn Show. The plants did continue to crop well until the 17 October, when the trial was cleared.
Entries receiving The Award of Garden Merit (H2)
'Apero' AGM (H2) 2007. Sent by A L Tozer Ltd, Pyports, Downside Bridge Road, Cobham, Surrey KT11 3EH.
Fruit is shiny, red and slightly oval; average size 3cm diameter, 3.5cm long; average weight of a single fruit 18.7g. First picked 31 July. Average plant produced a crop of 135 ripe fruits, with around 21 fruits per truss. Brix-test result: 9.5% average sugar content
Good yield of oval fruits on compact trusses. Good flavour.
Available in one retail catalogue.
'Favorita' AGM (H2) 2007. Sent by and available from Johnsons Seeds, Gazeley Road, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 7QB.
Fruit is shiny, red and slightly oval; average size 3.2cm diameter, 3.5cm long; average weight of a single fruit 21.2g. First picked 31 July. Average plant produced a crop of 123 ripe fruits, with around 25 fruits per truss. Brix-test result: 8.8% average sugar content
High yield of attractive, round/oval fruits. Very sweet flavour.
Available in one retail catalogue.
'Golden Sweet' AGM (H2) 2007. Sent by and available from Thompson & Morgan Ltd, Poplar Lane, Ipswich, Suffolk IP8 3BU.
Fruit is shiny, yellow and oval; average size 2.5cm diameter, 4cm long; average weight of a single fruit 17.9g. First picked 31 July. Average plant produced a crop of 107 ripe fruits, with around 21 fruits per truss. Brix-test result: 10% average sugar content
Good yield of attractive, yellow plum-cherry tomatoes. Good flavour and texture.
Available in two retail catalogues.
'Jasper' AGM (H2) 2007. Sent by and available from Mr Fothergill's Seeds, Gazeley Road, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 7QB.
Fruit is shiny, red and round; average size 3.4cm diameter, 3.2cm long; average weight of a single fruit 21.8g. First picked 31 July. Average plant produced a crop of 106 ripe fruits, with around 27 fruits per truss. Brix-test result: 9% average sugar content
Good yield of round fruits. Very good flavour.
Widely available.
'Nectar' AGM (H2) 2007, previous award AGM (H3) 1998. Sent by and available from Mr Fothergill's Seeds, Gazeley Road, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 7QB.
Fruit is shiny, red and round; average size 3cm diameter, 3cm long; average weight of a single fruit 16.7g. First picked 31 July. Average plant produced 177 ripe fruits, with around 28 fruits per truss. Brix-test result: 9.1% average sugar content.
Good yield from tidy plants with long trusses. Very good flavour.
Available in three retail catalogues.
'Piccolo' AGM (H2) 2007. Sent by Pro-Veg Seeds Ltd, 6 Shingay Lane, Sawston, Cambridge CB2 4SS.
Fruit is shiny, red and round; average size 3cm diameter, 3cm long; average weight of a single fruit 18.2g. First picked 31 July. Average plant produced a crop of 112 ripe fruits, with around 42 fruits per truss. Brix-test result: 10.1% average sugar content
Good yield. Small, cocktail sized fruits with very good flavour.
Widely available.
'Rosada' AGM (H2) 2007. Sent by and available from Thompson & Morgan Ltd, Poplar Lane, Ipswich, Suffolk IP8 3BU.
Fruit is shiny, red and a long-oval; average size 2.5cm diameter, 4cm long; average weight of a single fruit 15.5g. First picked 8 August. Average plant produced 143 ripe fruits, with around 24 fruits per truss. Brix-test result: 10.5% average sugar content.
Good yield of bright red, long plum-cherry tomatoes. Good, sweet flavour.
Available in one catalogue.
'Sakura' AGM (H2) 2007. Sent by and available from Johnsons Seeds, Gazeley Road, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 7QB.
Fruit is shiny, red and round; average size 3.2cm diameter, 3.2cm long; average weight of a single fruit 22.3g. First picked 31 July. Average plant produced a crop of 165 ripe fruits, with around 37 fruits per truss. Brix-test result: 8.8% average sugar content
High yield. Very bright fruits carried on long trusses. Very sweet flavour.
Widely available.
'Suncherry Premium' AGM (H2) 2007. Sent by A L Tozer Ltd, Pyports, Downside Bridge Road, Cobham, Surrey KT11 3EH.
Fruit is shiny, red and a slightly-flattened round; average size 3.5cm diameter, 3cm long; average weight of a single fruit 20.9g. First picked 31 July. Average plant produced 126 ripe fruits, with around 31 fruits per truss. Brix-test result: 9.2% average sugar content.
High yield. Attractive shiny fruits are uniform in size. Good flavour.
Available in one retail catalogue.
'Sungold' AGM (H2) 2007. Sent by and available from D T Brown & Co, Bury Road, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 7PQ.
Fruit is shiny, orange-yellow and round; average size 3cm diameter, 2.7cm long; average weight of a single fruit 13.3g. First picked 31 July. Average plant produced 120 ripe fruits, with around 22 fruits per truss. Brix-test result: 9.3% average sugar content.
Good yield of attractive round, golden-orange fruits. Good flavour.
Widely available.
'Sunset' AGM (H2) 2007, previous AGM (H3) 1998. Sent by and available from Mr Fothergill's Seeds, Gazeley Road, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 7QB.
Fruit is shiny, orange-yellow and round; average size 3cm diameter, 3cm long; average weight of a single fruit 13.9g. First picked 8 August. Average plant produced 165 ripe fruits, with around 33 fruits per truss. Brix-test result: 9.7% average sugar content.
Good yield of attractive golden-orange cherry tomatoes. Good, sweet flavour.
Available in one retail catalogue.
The following entries have been recommended for the AGM , but cannot receive the award until they are available to the public in retail catalogues. It is the responsibility of the sender to inform the Trials Office at Wisley that all queries have been resolved.
SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY:
'Cherrola' Sent by John Bertinat Seeds Ltd, Bankfield House, 39 Bure Way, Aylsham, Norfolk NR11 6HL.
Fruit is shiny, red and round; average size 3.2cm diameter, 3cm long; average weight of a single fruit 18.1g. First picked 31 July. Average plant produced a crop of 157 ripe fruits, with around 27 fruits per truss. Brix-test result: 9% average sugar content
High yield, with attractive fruit well spaced on long trusses. Nice flavour.
Not yet available in retail.
'Extra Sweetie' Sent by Bakker Brothers, Oostelÿke Randweg 12, 1723 LH Noord-Scharwoude, Netherlands.
Fruit is shiny, red and slightly oval; average size 2.5cm diameter, 3cm long; average weight of a single fruit 11.5g. First picked 31 July. Average plant produced a crop of 193 ripe fruits, with around 93 fruits per truss. Brix-test result: 8.5% average sugar content
Good yield. Attractive, shiny, mini-cherry/grape tomatoes, with nice flavour.
Not yet available in retail.
'Pepe' Sent by Takii Europe B V, Hoofdweg 19, 1424 PC de Kwakel, Netherlands.
First picked 31 July. Fruit is shiny, red and round; average size 3cm diameter, 3cm long; average weight of a single fruit 15.4g. Average plant produced a crop of 165 ripe fruits, with around 31 fruits per truss. Brix-test result: 9% average sugar content.
High yield. Excellent flavour.
Not yet available in retail.