'Solar fire' may find spot in Florida tomato arsenal

摘要

Anew hybrid, "Solar Fire," tested as Fla. 7943B, may be just what the doctor ordered for Florida tomato growers facing challenging growing seasons such as in 2002. It is a heat-tolerant tomato variety that performed well under the high temperatures and rainfall that persisted through October of that year, essentially extending the summer season by a month. Reporting on '"Solar Fire' and Other Hot Tomato Breeding Topics" during this year's Florida Tomato Institute held Sept. 3 in Naples, J. W. Scott,a plant breeder at the University of Florida's (UF) Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC) in Bradenton, noted that the variety was officially released on July 1. As of his report, a seed company is being sought for exclusive seed production and distribution rights.