Are there any new tomato varieties worth trying in 2021? That is a question we aim to investigate each season. In 2020, CKD Master Gardeners trialed several varieties of tomatoes. Varieties were that rated good locally by our volunteers included: Ultrasonic, Purple Boy, Pink Beef, Damsel, Hybeef, and Plum Regal. The varieties Celebrity and Jet Star were used as check plants and also produced well.
Tom Fowler with the University of Missouri Extension Service also trials tomatoes. Tom tests a number of other varieties in addition to those in our Kansas triasl. The results below are from Tom Fowler’s study. The top 10 slicers by yield (lbs) and by average fruit size (oz) are listed below.
It is still early enough to order seed for any tomatoes you may have an interest in below.
| Variety | Lbs/Plant | Type |
| Anna Russian | 21 | Open-pollinated |
| Cherokee Purple | 17.6 | Open-pollinated |
| German Johnson | 17.2 | Open-pollinated |
| Beef Master | 16.7 | Hybrid |
| Early Girl | 16.5 | Hybrid |
| Big Boy | 16.1 | Hybrid |
| Brandywine Black | 16.1 | Open-pollinated |
| Jet Star | 15.3 | Hybrid |
| Celebrity | 15 | Hybrid |
| Big Beef | 15 | Hybrid |
| Variety | Oz/Fruit | Type |
| Amana Orange | 12.11 | Open-pollinated |
| Beef Master | 11.62 | Hybrid |
| Brimmer Pink | 11.20 | Open-pollinated |
| Brandy Boy | 10.34 | Hybrid |
| German Pink | 10.24 | Open-pollinated |
| Green Giant | 9.78 | Open-pollinated |
| Mortgage Lifter | 9.60 | Open-pollinated |
| Black Krim | 8.83 | Open-pollinated |
| Box Car Willie | 8.62 | Open-pollinated |
| German Johnson | 8.60 | Open-pollinated |
What is surprising about these results is how well the open-pollinated varieties produced. Heirloom varieties are open-pollinated. Open-pollinated varieties will come true from seed but hybrids will not. Usually hybrid varieties will out-yield open-pollinated varieties but our top three varieties by yield were open pollinated in 2020. Also, open-pollinated varieties are often considered more flavorful than hybrids. So why aren’t more commercial growers using open-pollinated varieties? There are actually several reasons for this including:
- hybrids often have much better disease resistance
- open-pollinated fruit are often tender-skinned and do not ship well
- open-pollinated fruit are often fluted with a recessed stem attachment that consumers may not like
- hybrids often have smaller vines so that more tomatoes can be planted per acre resulting in higher per acre yields
We would suggest you continue to grow varieties that have done well for you in the past but consider including one or more of these on a trial basis to see if they perform well in your garden.
Central Kansas Lawn & Garden Blog 