Today and Tomorrow


tomatoes in box

A marker-assisted hybridization program is under way primarily to incorporate disease-resistant genes into elite, recurrent parental lines and select for resistance in new breeding materials. Considerable progress has been made with respect to resistance to begomoviruses (such as tomato yellow leaf curl virus). UF/IFAS breeders and a cooperating lab in the Netherlands have identified one of the major genes for resistance (Ty-1), and the program has recently developed horticulturally-improved materials containing this gene.

An exciting recent development in the UF/IFAS tomato breeding program has been the discovery of the Ty-6 resistance gene, a gene that is being widely used commercially and provides resistance against a broad range of begomoviruses. Genomic markers are also being used to facilitate breeding for resistance to bacterial spot, bacterial wilt, and graywall.

The UF/IFAS tomato breeding program is also focusing on releasing more heat-tolerant cultivars and developing compact growth habit (CGH) tomatoes that do not require staking, pruning, or tying. These CGH lines have concentrated fruit set, firmness, and jointless pedicels that could allow for once-over mechanical harvest and much less labor input.

The UF/IFAS program has also initiated work to provide a portfolio of superior varieties (such as 'Garden Gem' and 'Garden Treasure') with superior flavor and high yield to the home gardener. Several additional varieties are in advanced trials. The program utilizes hybrids between modern, high-yielding parents and the best-tasting heirloom varieties.

High Impact Releases


'Manalucie' (1953): This variety has a combined resistance to more than five diseases and was one of the earliest releases from the UF/IFAS tomato breeding program.

'Walter' (1969): This was the first tomato variety with resistance to fusarium wilt race 2, a discovery that saved the Florida tomato industry an estimated $200 million or more per year in losses.

'Florida MH-1' (1971): This variety was the first machine-harvest, fresh-market tomato variety ever released. It combined firmness with the jointless pedicel trait that allowed stemless harvesting.

'Floramerica' (1977): This variety won a bronze medal in the All America Vegetable Trials and has been widely grown for decades by home gardeners throughout North America.

'Solar Set' (1989): This variety was released due to its exceptional heat tolerance, a trait that improved fall crop yields. It was widely grown commercially in the 1990s.

'Fla. 7804' (2002): This disease-resistant inbred line has been used widely as a parent in several commercial hybrids developed by seed companies. It has been popular due to its resistance to Fusarium wilt races 1, 2, and 3; Verticillium wilt race 1; and gray leafspot. It also has the recessive crimson gene that provides high lycopene.

Tasti-Lee® 'Fla. 8153' (2006): This hybrid has been very popular due to its superior flavor, beautiful internal color, and excellent performance as a field-grown, vine-ripened tomato. The branded marketing program and high consumer acceptance of this variety led to it becoming the No. 1-selling round tomato nationally (Nielsen, 2015).

Research Contacts


Jessica Chitwood BrownJessica Chitwood Brown

Jessica Chitwood Brown

Breeding & Genetics
Tomato
Horticultural SciencesGulf Coast REC

                               

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