High Tunnel Heirloom Tomato Trial

Project Leader: Tim Hartlaub, MeadowLark Farms, Strasburg, CO

Technical Advisor: Thaddeus Gourd, Agricultural Extension Agent, Brighton, CO

Project Year: 2006

Proposal Summary

MeadowLark Farms is going to conduct a two-part heirloom tomato research trial. The first part of the trial will focus on the production and taste characteristics for three different strains of Brandywine (Sudduth/Quisenberry, Landis Valley, and Off the Vine). A special emphasis will be placed on early season production. The second part of the trial will be to research Trichoderma harzianum, a beneficial microbe that provides protection against plant root pathogens. This experiment will be performed in an existing 20 by 96 foot high tunnel.

In 2005, an experiment was conducted to test the feasibility of growing heirloom tomatoes in a high tunnel on the eastern plains of Colorado. There was also a taste test conducted, in which the Sudduth strain of the Brandywine tomato won. Unfortunately, it suffers from malformed blooms, which limits its production. Shown by other research, Off the Vine sets and holds its fruit better than any other Brandywine strain.

Since disease resistance in heirloom tomatoes is limited, disease prevention and control are considered crucial for future success. In 2005, MeadowLark Farms experienced Early Blight. Research at Cornell University has shown a significant amount of control on Early Blight with Trichoderma harzianum.