Compact growth habit (CGH) tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) are determinate plants with shortened internodes and strong side branching due to the brachytic gene (br) that grow either prostrate or upright as a result of unidentified gene(s). Compact growth habit tomatoes do not require staking, tying, or pruning and can potentially be mechanically harvested, lowering Florida fresh-market tomato production costs. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of two planting configurations (single and double row) and breeding lines (BLs) on CGH tomato plant growth, flowering pattern, yield, and postharvest fruit quality. Two experiments were conducted in Immokalee, FL, during Spring 2013 and 2014 in a split-plot design with four replications. Planting configurations affected CGH tomato growth at midseason in 2013 but not in 2014; however, in 2014, CGH tomato vines grew outside the beds into the row middles, which is uncommon for this tomato type and undesirable. Plants of CGH tomatoes had a similar flowering pattern to a conventional upright tomato cultivar, which was unexpected. Planting configurations did not affect marketable yields in 2013, but single-row plots produced higher extra-large and total marketable yields at first and total season harvests in 2014. Total season marketable harvests ranged from 26.1 to 53.6 and 29.3 to 45.6 Mg·ha−1 in 2013 and 2014, respectively. Fla 8916 was among the highest yielding BLs, maximizing extra-large and total season marketable yields. Unmarketable fruit ranged from 22% to 31% and 25% to 52% of the total season harvest in 2013 and 2014, respectively, and the most common defects were sunscald, off-shape, catface, and graywall. All CGH evaluated may be suitable for mature-green harvest regarding postharvest fruit quality, although fruit ripening uniformity was of concern in 2014. Average CGH total season marketable yields harvested twice were lower than expected yields of staked-upright tomato cultivars that may be harvested three times, but higher than Florida average yields. However, CGH tomato total production cost can potentially be lower than staked-upright cultivars making CGH tomatoes a viable alternative for the Florida mature-green fresh-market industry to remain sustainable.

This document is Fact Sheet HS921, one of a series of the Horticultural Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultual Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date: April 2003.

Grafting is a horticultural technology that combines two plants, the scion and the rootsock, to create a plant with desirable features from both parts. In the United States, the use of vegetable grafting in field production remains limited, although 70% of the total hydroponic greenhouse tomato area uses grafted seedlings. Large, commercial grafting operations use controlled-environment growth chambers, but the high cost limits their use in most small-scale grafting operations. Healing chambers are an alternative solution that provides proper healing at a lower cost for growers and researchers. This 5-page fact sheet was written by Monica Ozores-Hampton and Aline Coelho Frasca, and published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, October 2013. HS1232/HS1232: Healing Chamber for Grafted Vegetable Seedlings in Florida (ufl.edu)

Alternatives to the traditional production system that reduce production cost would be economically beneficial to the Florida tomato industry. Compact growth habit tomatoes are determinate varieties with a unique architecture that may provide the basis for a viable alternative production system for Florida. These tomatoes have low growth and spreading characteristics, forming compact plants that hold fruit above the ground on short branches. They do not require staking, tying, or pruning, so they may be used by the Florida mature-green fresh-market tomato growers to reduce labor costs. This 5-page fact sheet was written by Monica Ozores-Hampton, Aline Coelho Frasca, John Scott, and Samuel Hutton, and published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, September 2013.

Heirloom tomatoes have seen a rebirth in popularity because of increasing demand for fresh, fully ripe, tasty tomatoes. A tomato must meet three criteria to be considered an heirloom variety: The variety must be reproduced by seed, must have been cultivated for more than 50 years, and must have a history. Heirloom tomatoes are known for their singular taste, shape, and color, which include purple, orange, and yellow, in addition to the common red tomatoes. This revised 9-page fact sheet was written by Monica Ozores-Hampton, Charles S. Vavrina, and Aline Coelho Frasca, and published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, February 2012.