Top 10 Determinate Tomato Varieties Grown on the Texas High Plains (2005)
Russell W. Wallace** & John C. Hodges
Extension Vegetable Specialist & Research Technician
Dept. of Horticultural Sciences

Determinate tomato (Lycopersicon lycopersicum) varieties were evaluated for yield and quality when grown under high heat and dry, windy conditions of the Texas High Plains. The trial was conducted at the Texas A & M University Research & Extension Center (Lubbock). Six-week old tomato plants were transplanted on May 10 in cages wrapped with row covers (0.9 oz point bonded) until the plants completely filled the cages. Tomatoes were harvested by hand beginning on July 6 and harvested weekly until September 26. All varieties yielded close to 30.0 lbs of fruit/A or greater, with Sun Leaper, BHN 444 and Spitfire having the highest total yields. Peak harvesting (when the highest average yields can be expected) began August 18 for Sunbeam and Heatwave II, followed by BHN 444, Spitfire, Bush Celebrity and Solar Set. Peak harvests occurred in September for Sun Leaper, Sun Chaser, Sunmaster and Solar Fire. Average fruit numbers were greater than 100/plant for Sun Leaper, Spitfire, Sun Chaser and Heatwave II, and under 90/plant for BHN 444 and Sunbeam. Fruit size was greatest (6.3 oz/fruit) with BHN 444 and least (4.7 oz) with Sun Chaser and Heatwave II. Tomato fruit cracking was high in 2005 and was greatest during the early season, but lessened as fruit load became more consistent. Fruit cracking was greatest (49%) with Sunbeam and least (21.5 – 22.3%) in Spitfire and Solar Fire. Blossom end rot was generally low with all the varieties grown in this test, though it was highest with Sun Leaper (6.7%). The least amount of blossom end rot was found with BHN 444 (2.0%). Additional research is needed to determine whether the current Top 10 or newer varieties are best suited for tomato production on the High Plains. Varieties that are considered to be heat tolerant will continue to be evaluated.

Top 10 Determinate Tomato Varieties Grown on the Texas High Plains

Top 10 Determinate Tomato Varieties Grown on the Texas High Plains
Variety	Maturity (# Days)	Date Peak Yields  Began	Yield/plant (lbs)	Ave. No. of Fruit per Plant	Average Fruit Weight (oz)	% Cracking	% Blossom End Rot
Sun Leaper	82	Sept. 7	37.2	115.7	5.1	29.6	6.7
BHN 444	75	August 31	35.3	89.8	6.3	36.5	2.0
Spitfire	68	August 31	34.5	113.5	4.9	21.5	3.9
Sun Chaser	72	Sept. 7	32.0	108.0	4.7	30.1	3.0
Sunmaster	74	Sept. 7	31.7	90.0	5.6	30.7	4.2
Bush Celebrity	67	August 31	31.4	89.3	5.6	44.1	3.3
Solar Fire	72	Sept. 7	31.2	91.0	5.5	22.3	4.1
Sunbeam	70	August 18	29.5	84.8	5.6	49.4	4.1
Heatwave II	68	August 18	29.4	100.4	4.7	42.1	4.2
Solar Set	70	August 31	28.1	87.7	5.1	27.5	2.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

** Contact information: Email: rwwallace@ag.tamu.edu / Phone: 806-746-6101