AN independent study of gourmet tomato varieties in Bundaberg has revealed a new tomato that has recently hit the market is delivering great results both on-farm and at the consumer level.
The study undertaken by Hortus Technology Services was conducted near Bundaberg and assessed the in-field performance of similar varieties as well as market potential and consumer opinion.
The trial results summary revealed that: “SV0215TH was shown to be the most superior variety trialed."
“The variety exhibited no signs of disease in the trial, and had the highest marketable yield and marketable fruits.”
A key advantage of the new variety is improved firmness that allows the growers to leave the fruit on the vine to a later stage for better flavour attributes without negatively impacting shelf life.
Growers have been quick to take advantage of the new gourmet tomato variety, including North Queenslander Craig Brackley.
Craig and his father Andy first trialled SV0215TH on a small scale two years ago, and after seeing fantastic results in the field and at market, they’re eager to keep working with the new hybrid.
“We had a really good look at it in action in 2014, and from what we saw of it, from its overall quality to its disease package, we were really impressed,” Mr Brackley said.
“It has a nice, healthy bush and quite a large leaf structure, which gave us a lot of confidence.
“It was also quite robust, and the pruners certainly didn’t have any problems with it. The pickers didn’t mind it either because the stalks were easy to work with.
“The fruit was well received by the market, and our agent loved it. He said the colour was quite vibrant in the fruit, and it had a nice gloss. In the end, we heard good reports back about it, which we were really pleased with.”
