2015 Annual Report for ONE15-243
Rediscovering the Rutgers tomato
Summary
Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES) partnered with farmers and gardeners in an effort to release a new value added tomato variety for local transplant and fruit production. In the summer of 2015 two replicated field research trials, two on farm field trials and three Master Gardener trials and six consumer taste panels were conducted to gather input in making a final variety selection. During the same time period seed of the new tomato variety was produced for distribution in 2016. The data from all of the trials and panels were compiled and the best performing tomato selection chosen. Seeds are currently being packaged for distribution of the new tomato variety to farmers and gardeners.
Objectives/Performance Targets
Farmer Trials
Three tomato grower cooperators from throughout New Jersey were identified to participate in on farm field trials. Unfortunately, due to a miscommunication one of the cooperators never planted seed for their trial. The other two farmers planted the three tomato selections along with three standard varieties on their farm. The farmers were able to observe the tomato selections growing within their production systems and provided feedback on performance.
Master Gardener Trials
Three Rutgers Master Gardener County programs were identified to participate in garden trials. The Master Gardeners planted the tomato selections and observed their performance in a garden setting compared to three standard varieties. The plantings also served as demonstration plots for home gardeners to view and be educated on the performance of candidate selections.
Replicated Field Research Trials
Replicated field research trials were conducted at two University research farms: Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Bridgeton, NJ (RAREC) and Snyder Research and Extension Farm, Pittstown, NJ (SNYDER). The three tomato selections were planted along with three standard varieties. Yield and fruit quality data was collected from the trials and farmers viewed the plants and tasted fruit from the plots at educational twilight meetings.
Seed Production
Seeds of the three advanced tomato breeding lines for commercialization were produced by collecting fruit from the trials. Plans for packaging and distribution to of seed of one of the top tomato selection to gardeners and commercial growers for the 2016 production season are currently being executed.
Sensory Evaluation
A sensory survey tool was developed in cooperation with a faculty member of the Rutgers Univ. Food Science Dept. This tool was used in conducting blinded taste panels of the selections comparing them to standard varieties.
Data Collection
Data from the replicated field research trials, on farm field trials, Master Gardener trials and taste panels was analyzed to decide the top candidate to be released as variety in 2016 and named ‘Rutgers 250’.
Outreach
Growers were apprised of the project through on-site twilight meetings at SNYDER and RAREC research farms. Gardeners were able to view the project at the Master Gardener demonstration sites. Gardeners and growers were also apprised of the results of the project through many reports that appeared in media (newspapers, radio, television) aired in the northeastern U.S. during the summer and fall of 2015. Presentations about the project are scheduled for future winter educational events.
Accomplishments/Milestones
Identify growers, Master Gardener organizations, employees that will participate in the project:
March 1 – April 15, 2015 Nitzsche and T. Orton
Three growers and three Master Gardener organizations were identified for the project. It was decided not to hire a project coordinator and utilize existing faculty and staff time for the project.
Purchase field supplies including stakes, twine, fertilizers, plastic mulch, drip tape:
March 1 – March 31, 2015 Nitzsche and T. Orton
Project leaders utilized much of the supplies which were already onsite at the research farms and replenished those materials later in the season.
Sow seed of trial tomatoes:
April 10-20, 2015 Nitzsche, T. Orton, Class 4 employee TBD
Plants were grown in University greenhouses for the replicated research trials and Master Gardener trials.
Establish Grower and Master Gardener Cooperator trial:
May 15-31, 2015 Nitzsche, T. Orton, Class 4 employee TBD
Seeds were distributed to the three identified farmer cooperators. Unfortunately due to a miscommunication one grower did not plant their seed. The other two growers planted their seed and established their on farm trials.
Monitor progress of plants in trials:
June 1 – July 31, 2015 Class 4 employee TBD, Student employee TBD, with supervision by P. Nitzsche and T. Orton
All trials were monitored throughout the growing season by faculty, staff, students, farmer cooperators, and Rutgers Master Gardeners.
Train consumer taste/preference panels:
August 1 – August 15, 2015 Dr. Beverly Tepper, Rutgers Food Science Dept.
Conducted blinded taste panels at farmer twilight meetings at RAREC and SNYDER, Margate Farmer’s Market, Great Tomato Tasting Event at SNYDER, Master Gardener, Rutgers Cooperative Extension Earth Center Open House.
Oversee variety trial harvests, performance evaluations, data collections, and consumer taste/preference panels:
August 15 – September 15, 2015 Class 4 employee TBD, Student employee TBD, with supervision by P. Nitzsche and T. Orton
Nitzsche and Orton developed and implemented uniform data collection protocols and supervised harvest.
Conduct grower twilight educational meetings and demonstrations at RAREC and SNYDER:
August 15 – September 15, 2015 Nitzsche, T. Orton
Grower twilight meetings were conducted at both RAREC and SNYDER.
Collect seeds from advanced selections for distribution in 2016:
September 1 – September 20, 2015 Class 4 employee TBD, T. Orton
Generated 4.35 lbs. of seed of the advanced selections for potential distribution
Analyze results and select the breeding line(s) to be released as the “new ‘Rutgers’ in 2016:
October 1 – December 31, 2015 Class 4 employee TBD, P. Nitzsche, T. Orton
The data was compiled and the results discussed at a meeting of faculty and staff participating in the project in November. The tomato selection with the highest overall composite ratings was chosen and given the name ‘Rutgers 250’
Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes
A university magazine Rutgers Today did a story on the project which created a lot of interest and publicity through the press.
Rutgers Today
http://news.rutgers.edu/feature/rutgers-tomato-reinvented-even-more-flavor/20150802#.VcCzOE-h35p
PHYS.org
http://phys.org/news/2015-08-rutgers-tomato-reinvented-flavor.html
NJTVNews
http://www.njtvonline.org/news/video/rutgers-brings-back-the-jersey-tomato/
Jersey Bites website
http://www.jerseybites.com/2015/08/the-great-tomato-tasting/
Press of Atlantic City
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/business/rutgers-reviving-historic-jersey-tomato-seed/article_a6b2841e-4870-11e5-b52d-8731015e1baa.html
NJ.com tomato naming poll
http://www.nj.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2015/08/rutgers_tomato_naming.html
My Central Jersey
http://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/local/2015/08/04/rutgers-narrows-search-reinvent-jersey-tomato/31054071/
This publicity has generated interest in the purchase of seed from gardeners, farmers and commercial transplant growers and should help drive sales during 2016.
Three University students who worked on the project have expressed continued interest in agriculture and the possibility of pursuing graduate work in the field.
Collaborators:
Donaldson Farms, LLC.
178 Airport Rd
Hackettstown, NJ 07840
Office Phone: 9088529129
Specialist in Vegetable Crops
Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension
121 Northville Rd.
Bridgeton, NJ 08302
Office Phone: 7329324000
Twin Pond Farm
101 Havens Bridge Rd
Farmingdale, NJ 07727
Office Phone: 7325988597
Website: http://www.twinpondfarm.com/
Maugeri Farms
1991 Oldmans Creek Rd
Woolwich Township, NJ 08085
Office Phone: 8564673696
Website: http://www.maugerifarms.com