Integration of Heirloom Tomatoes with Contemporary Vine-Ripened Fresh Market Operations.

ABSTRACT

Consumer demand for heirloom tomatoes is increasing and price premiums currently exist.  Heirloom tomatoes have the potential to be a profitable supplement to existing vine-ripened operations.  Research was conducted in 2010 and 2011 to identify heirloom cultivars with market potential and evaluate their performance in cultural practices of the region's commercial vine-ripe tomato industry.  Cultivars selected were ‘Abraham Lincoln' (AL), ‘Arkansas Traveler – the original' (AT), ‘Box Car Willie' (BW), ‘Brandywine Red' (BR), ‘Cherokee Purple' (CP), ‘German Johnson Pink' (GP), ‘Lillian's Yellow' (LY), ‘Manulucie' (MN), ‘Mortgage Lifter' (ML), ‘Mr. Stripy' (MS), ‘Ponderosa Red' (PR), and ‘Rutgers Select' (RS).  AL had highest marketable yields of 4.69 kg/plant in 2010 and 3.09 kg/plant in 2011.  In 2010, top producers were AL, AT, RT, CP, LY, PR, and ML with marketable yields ranging from 3.31-4.13 kg/plant.  Highest producers in 2011 were AL, MN, RT, PR, AT, and CP with yields ranging from 0.90-3.09 kg/plant.  Taste was more of a factor in preference than visual appearance in a market and sensory evaluation of 42 participants.  The top seven cultivars in order of preference were AT, AL, RT, CP, PR, ML, and BR and 82 % of respondents would pay premium prices for heirlooms.  We conclude that AL, AT, CP, RT, MN, and PR have high potential for integration and marketing within existing vine-ripened operations.