Australia: a tomato bred in Queensland

Trifecta is the latest tomato to be commercialised as part of Australian tomato breeding program.

      
Trifecta is resistant to several fungal diseases. This includes all Australian occurring strains of Fusarium wilt—a serious horticultural disease that affects tomatoes. It also has intermediate resistance to powdery mildew.

Fusarium wilt is a world wide problem with tomato but for many years Queensland has had multiple races (three) of the disease. While other countries often have one or two races present, Bowen and Bundaberg have a third race. Initially the third race was unique to Queensland, so we identified and transferred genetic resistance in our own breeding programs as resistant varieties were not available elsewhere.

Trifecta produces larger average fruit size (about 160–200 g) than many other varieties, particularly for later harvests, has excellent internal fruit quality, an attractive uniform shape and is firm for better transporting. It matures about 7 to 10 days later than many commercial varieties currently in use.

Our fresh market tomato breeding program operates at several centres in Queensland. It is the only active program of hybridisation and selection in Australia and is supported by significant investment from Syngenta Seeds. The program is targeting improved agronomic performance, fruit quality attributes, disease resistances and lycopene content.

Queensland is the main producer of fresh market tomatoes in Australia. In 2004–05, Queensland produced around 85,800 tonnes of tomatoes worth about $91 million, about 21 percent of the Australian production and 56 percent of its value.

S&G - November 2007