Potential to Grow Roma Tomatoes in Saskatchewan for Processing (2021-2022) 2 pages
The main objective of this project was to determine if Roma-type tomatoes for processing could be grown for once-over machine harvest in Saskatchewan. Additional objectives were to determine which cultivars of Roma tomato were best suited to local conditions, while also looking for production risks. The quality of the tomato fruit for each cultivar was analyzed and compared to the specifications of the processing industry. Eleven cultivars were tested on a grower co-operator site near Outlook, SK in 2021, while 16 cultivars were tested at the same site in 2022. The tomato crops were established using transplants and were planted onto plastic mulch with drip irrigation. Standard crop management practices were employed. No insect or disease problems were observed in either year of the trial. The shortness of the SK growing season represented the production major challenge for the tomato crops in both years.
