Tomato production in Northwest Missouri is increasing as income for soybean and corn crops continues to decline. Producers continue to seek an early, high producing variety to satisfy the early market window. The loess soils of this region are well-suited for tomato production. Summer temperatures and rainfall are usually adequate for good tomato yields. Most tomatoes in this area are sold at farmers' markets as there are no commercial markets or processing facilities available. Terminal markets are located in Kansas City and Omaha but the fruit must be harvested and sold quickly before it deteriorates. Varieties that have long shelf life and are heat- tolerant are being developed so growers can produce fruit during hot weather. Untimely rains often result in fruit cracking on some varieties. This may be curtailed by drip irrigation.

This variety trial was planted to determine which varieties had the best production in this region. Similar trials were planted in other regions of Missouri and in Kansas.

Nineteen varieties of tomatoes were obtained from Kansas State University and transplanted to the field on May 15. Three additional varieties were transplanted on May 23. Twelve plants of each variety were placed in rows 4' apart with 3' between plants in the row. Three replicates of 4 plants each were placed at random in the field. 2.4 oz of Treflan and 1.5 Tbsp Sencor 75/ 3 gal of water were applied to the field preplant . A stake and weave system with plastic baler twine was placed around the plants. Three strings were applied at 6" intervals over a period of about 3 weeks. Each plant received 2 oz 46-0-0 fertilizer on June 19. No insecticides or fungicides were added during the growing season. Even though it was a very dry summer, no supplemental water was added to the field. These factors led to some loss of plants so yield was calculated on a per/plant basis. Harvest began on July18 and the fruit were picked 10 times with the last picking August 23. . Tilling and hoeing were used to keep weeds under control. The extremely dry summer helped keep the weed population down and very little cracking or blossom end rot occurred. Worms and small animals did damage some fruit and resulted in some yield loss.

The fruit were graded as #l and other. 'Mt Fresh' had the most #1 fruit followed by 'Florida 41' and 'Sunguard'.(Table 1) 'NC96365', an experimental North Carolina variety, had the most fruit, followed by 'Florida 41' and 'Mt Crest'. 'Fl 41' had the greatest total weight of fruit, followed by 'NC 96365' , 'Mt Fresh' and 'Mt Crest'. 'Mt Spring' had the largest fruit(Av Wt), followed by 'Fl 47', 'Sunchief', and 'Sunleaper'. 'Fl 47' had the most lb/plant. followed by 'NC96365', 'Mt Fresh', and 'Fl 91'. This indicates the Florida variety adapted quite well to the weather of this summer. The high yield was equivalent to about 23 T/Ac.

'Mt Fresh' had the top yield of the Mt series, 'Sunchief' was the top of the Sun series, and 'BHN 555' was the top of the experimental BHN series. The 'BHN 555' variety was resistant to early blight. Due to the hot, dry weather, there was no epidemic of aphids or other insects and early and late blight were not factors in yield reduction. This is the only time I have not sprayed for insect or disease during the summer and this year the results were very good, considering the heat and lack of water.