Mountain Horticultural Crops Research main tomato objective is to identify superior tomato hybrids with respect to yield potential, fruit quality and disease resistance.
Varietal development and disease pressures on tomatoes was the focus of the North Carolina Tomato Field Day that drew a crowd of 225 to the Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center in Mills River Aug. 11.
Attendees checked out new tomato lines designed for new production systems while getting an update on the station’s efforts to breed new large-fruited tomatoes, plum tomatoes and grape tomatoes. The main objective of the breeding program is to identify superior hybrids with respect to yield potential, fruit quality and disease resistance.
Efforts to control such diseases as Verticillium Wilt, Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus and Bacterial Leaf Spot were also discussed at the field day. Disease pressure continues to be a major challenge for North Carolina tomato farmers.
