Disease-Resistant Tomato Varieties
- Disease-resistant tomato varieties help ensure healthy vines and a bountiful crop.tomato plant image by Crisps85 from Fotolia.com
Tomato diseases are a leading cause of tomato crop failure. Tomato varieties that are resistant to verticillium and fusarium wilts, nematodes and tobacco mosaic virus will reduce the chances of disease infestations. However, these varieties still need to be grown with good cultural practices that help to prevent diseases.
Never plant tomatoes in the same part of the garden more than once every three years. Corn is a good crop to rotate with tomatoes, because it doesn't promote disease growth and it adds organic material to the soil. Buy certified seeds or plants which are tested and determined to be free of disease organisms. - Sweet Chelsea is a red, round cherry tomato that grow 1.25 to 1.5 inches in diameter. The vigorous vines are prolific producers. Sweet Chelsea resists verticillium and fusarium wilts, nematodes and tobacco mosaic virus.
- Big Beef produces large fruit over a long season. It grows equally well in northern and southern gardens and resists verticillium and fusarium wilts, nematodes and tobacco mosaic virus.
- This is a main-season slicing tomato with a long production season. It has good flavor. Park's Whopper resists verticillium and fusarium wilts, nematodes and tobacco mosaic virus.
- Quick Pick produces heavy yields of 4-ounce round tomatoes on compact vines. It is a good choice for northern gardens with short seasons, because the harvest begins in just 60 days. Quick Pick resists verticillium and fusarium wilts, nematodes, tobacco mosaic virus and alternaria.
- Champion is grown as a main-crop tomato with harvests that begin in just 65 days, making it perfect for northern gardens. The 10-ounce round fruit ripen over a short period, which is convenient for those who like to can and freeze tomatoes. Champion resists verticillium and fusarium wilts, nematodes and tobacco mosaic virus.
- These large, productive vines bear 10-ounce, high-quality fruit that are harvested over a short period of time. They resist cracks and other deformities and are suitable for tomato cages. It takes 70 days from planting to harvest. Celebrity resists verticillium and fusarium wilts, nematodes and tobacco mosaic virus.
- This tomato is a favorite among gardeners. Better Boy starts are readily available at garden centers and discount stores throughout the country. The tomatoes resist cracks and deformities, and the vigorous vines bear an abundance of flavorful 12-ounce fruit over a long season. Better Boy grows well in tomato cages and makes a great main-crop tomato. It resists verticillium and fusarium wilts, and nematodes.
