Chapter 18. Tomato Production
Botany and Planting
Tomato—Solanum lycopersicum, Solanaceae
Table 1. Planting information for tomato.
Cultivars
For more information on tomato varieties, see https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/HS1189.
Large-Fruited and Beefsteak Types
BHN 602. Early midseason maturity. Fruit are globe-shaped and green-shouldered.
BHN 3353. Continuous yield of large to extra-large fruit on a strong, determinate plant. Great for multiple picks.
Camaro. Medium plant with limited to no pruning. Extra-large globe-shaped fruit.
Everglade. Full-season maturity with deep oblate fruit. Performs well in cool weather conditions.
Florida 47. A late midseason, determinate, jointed hybrid. Uniformly green, globe-shaped fruit.
Florida 91. Midseason variety. Uniformly green fruit borne on jointed pedicels. Determinate plant. Good fruit-setting ability under high temperatures.
Grand Marshall. Midseason vigorous plant with hot set and extra-large to large oblate fruit.
HM 1823. Determinate, round tomato, early-maturing variety with a strong plant and large to extra-large round fruit.
Jolene. Early maturing, determinate variety producing large to extra-large fruit with deep, dark interiors. Suitable for mature green or vine-ripe production.
Loretta. Determinate, high-flavor variety for fresh market or gas green production. Fruits have deep, round shape and pinpoint blossom end.
Red Bounty. Medium maturity, good heat set, extra-large globe fruit.
Red Defender. Medium maturity. Vigorous vine with smooth, large, deep-red fruit with excellent firmness and shelf life.
Red Snapper. Determinate, round variety suited for mature green and vine-ripe markets. Versatile across seasons with good hot-set potential.
Skyway. Main-season variety with a strong plant. Extra-large globe-shaped fruit.
Southern Ripe. Full-season maturity with a medium plant. Deep-oblate fruit that are adapted to cooler conditions.
STM2255. Adaptable determinate variety for both mature green and vine ripe. Mid cover with firm fruit and good shelf life.
Summerhaven. Widely adaptable determinate variety with excellent plant cover and extra-large fruit that ship well.
SV 7631. Midseason variety with medium to strong plant with large to extra-large oblate fruit.
Tasti-Lee. Released for the premium tomato market. A midseason, determinate, jointed hybrid with moderate heat tolerance. Fruit are uniformly green with a high lycopene content and deep-red interior color due to the crimson gene.
Thunderbird (STM5187). Hot-set determinate variety with extra-large, very firm fruit that have good shelf life.
Winterhaven. Mature green, determinate variety is adapted to withstand cooler weather.
Plum and Roma Types
BHN 685. Midseason. Large to extra-large, deep-blocky, globe-shaped fruit. Determinate, vigorous bush with no pruning recommended.
BHN 1045.Uniform large fruit and a deep-blocky shape. A strong determinate plant with an excellent disease package.
Daytona. Midseason compact plant. Blocky-elongated large to extra-large fruit.
Mariana. Midseason. Fruit are predominately extra large and extremely uniform in shape. Fruit wall is thick, and external and internal color are very good, with excellent firmness and shelf life. Determinate, small-to-medium-sized plant with good fruit set.
Picus. Main-season, determinate Roma tomato that is widely adapted. Fruits are large, uniform, and blocky, maturing to a deep-red color with great firmness at the red stage. Medium-to-large, vigorous plant that provides good fruit cover and sets well in hot temperatures.
Shelby. Adaptable determinate Roma tomato that can be used in multiple seasons. Fruits are very firm, have low gel, and a good shelf life. Can be used for mature green and vine ripe markets.
Tachi. Midseason variety with classic saladette shape. Determinate midcompact plant. Fruit size predominately extra large, uniform, and very similar to Mariana. Wide adaptability and suited for concentrated harvests for vine-ripe and mature-green markets.
Villa. Mid-early season indeterminate extra-large Roma variety with compact growth habit and mid vigor.
Cherry Types
BHN 268. Early to midseason. Tall bush. An extra-firm cherry tomato that holds, packs, and ships well. Determinate, small-to-medium bush with high yields.
BHN 762. Early determinate variety. Globe-shaped fruit.
Sakura. Early indeterminate hybrid.
Sweet Treats. Early main season with wide adaptability. Strong, vigorous, indeterminate plant. Deep-pink, firm, globe-shaped fruit with outstanding flavor potential. Strong against cracking.
Grape Types
BHN 784. Early-midseason determinate grape hybrid. Heat tolerant.
BHN 785. Midseason determinate grape hybrid with a strong set of very uniformly sized and shaped fruit on a vigorous bush with good cover.
BHN 1022. Determinate “hot-set” variety.
Gold Spark. Mid-late. Indeterminate. High-yield yellow grape with consistent brix, great firmness, and excellent shelf life.
Jolly Girl. Early season. Determinate plant. Extended market life with firm, flavorful grape-shaped fruits. Average 10% brix.
Mountain Honey. Semideterminate plant produces high yields of uniform deep-red fruit with very good flavor and sugars.
Mountain Vineyard. Indeterminate grape with deep red color.
Ruby Crush. Mid-early. Determinate with midcompact growth. Deep-red fruit that are very smooth, uniform and firm with a good flavor profile.
Smarty. Early, vigorous, indeterminate bush with short internodes. Plants are 25% shorter than Santa. Sweet and excellent flavor.
Sweethearts. Early to midseason. Indeterminate bush with intermediate internodes. Brilliant-red, firm, elongated grape-shaped fruit. Matures between 70 and 75 days. Good flavor, crack-resistant, and high Brix.
Table 2. Disease-resistance packages for tomato varieties.
The following tables list registered pesticides that should be integrated with other pest management methods. Additional information on integrated management methods can be requested from UF/IFAS Extension horticulture or agriculture agents. A list of local UF/IFAS Extension offices is available at https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/find-your-local-office/.
Table 3. Herbicides approved for managing weeds in tomato. Contact: Ramdas Kanissery, UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center.
Table 4. Insecticides labeled for management of arthropod pests on tomato. Contact: Craig Frey, UF/IFAS Extension Hendry County.
Table 5. Tomato fungicides ordered by disease and then FRAC group according to their mode of action. Contact: Gary E. Vallad, UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center.
Table 6. Nonfumigant nematicides for tomatoes in Florida. Contact: Johan Desaeger, Gulf Coast Research and Education Center.
Table 7. Fumigant nematicides for tomatoes in Florida.