Before I get into the stated topic, perhaps it may be well to relate what has happened regarding my vegetable breeding program. Massachusetts is presently, and has been for several years, in serious financial trouble. Deep cuts have been across the board and little attempt has been made to save quality programs. In my case, they decided to close my Station to research and move all faculty to Amherst. However, due to properties, the depressed real estate market and family near the Boston area, I decided to enter into a three year early retirement. In which case, they would permit me to remain in Waltham for these three remaining years. Because of the reduced budget, I was cut from two full-time technicians to a one-half time technician. I could not see a way to continue my breeding program within the University. Some of you know that, in addition to tomatoes, I expect to have a Zucchini Yellows Mosaic Virus resistant (ZYMV) hybrid semi-bush butternut squash ready for grower testing within two years and within five years I expect grower trials with a hybrid sweet bell pepper which is resistant to Cucumber Mosaic Virus (CMV). I have made it very plain that I am removing my variety development program from the University. I have formed a corporation which I call, "Nicklow Vegetables, Inc." and this year I'm selling seed of four tomato hybrids, three determinate and one indeterminate or trellis.
For the three remaining years in Waltham, my research program will be crossing two wild species, L. hirsutum Humb. & Bonpl. and L. chilense, to L. esculentum Mill. The wild species were derived from C. Rick's high altitude material. The attempt will be to achieve earlier tomato fruit maturity via one or a combination of the following three characteristics: their ability to grow at cool temperatures, their ability to tolerate freezing temperatures and/or attempting to achieve pollen germination at cooler temperatures. Already many crosses involving two of my inbreds have been made involving these species as the pollen parent.
Finally, back to the topic at hand. Several years ago I evaluated "small fruit size" as my most pressing problem. Close attention was given to fruit size in selections within inbreds and during 1990, some thought that fruit size may be getting too large in some of my hybrids. Now, major emphasis is given to fruit quality. Through selection, I should be able to virtually eliminate blotchy ripening or gray wall. The key to my success, I think, has been the elimination of white tissue within the cell wall. My decision has been to sell only hybrid varieties which are virtually free of blotchy ripening.
The other quality factor which I believe is quite important is flavor. Unfortunately, we have let the buyers dictate quality in tomatoes. I have actually experienced buyers who have said, "I do not care how it tastes, I'm only interested in: does it sell?". By and large, selling has been on external appearance and not taste but, if you expect repeat customers, eating quality is important. I have said many times, were the consumer blindfolded when they eat many of the tomatoes shipped into Massachusetts, they would be unable to discern as to whether or not it was a tomato. As plant breeders, it is about time that we take charge of improving tomato eating quality. Yes, we still need fruit firmness, long shelf life, etc., but good eating quality is out there and I challenge you to go after it. I will no longer place a tomato into grower trials unless it has good eating quality. I was pleased to hear a similar expression of concern for eating quality made by Dr. Ernie Kerr last night. He and I each have an indeterminate, his is Ultra Sweet and mine is #01 and I think mine is better eating but then I'm biased. I think this type of competition in eating quality is healthy and we need to see more breeders emphasizing eating quality. In addition to the two commercial hybrids I have available, #01 (trellis) and #91 (determinate), I have two new determinate hybrids for grower trials, #11, a late maturing (similar in maturity to Mountain Pride but less vegetative) and #12, which is likely the earliest maturing variety developed by me to date.
To produce my hybrid seed, I was forced to be one of three investors in a plastic covered growing set-up in Mexico. Too many problems have developed with outdoor hybrid seed production. Should this test year prove successful, we may go to many more acres the following year.