FIELD TEST RESULTS COMPARING DIRECT-SEEDED AND TRANSPLANTED PROCESSING TOMATOES IN THE LOWER SACRAMENTO VALLEY

Nineteen different processing tomato cultivars were established by both transplanting and direct-seeding in replicated field plots. The time from planting until maturity, fruit soluble solids and fruit yields were measured. °Brix-yields were calculated from the measured data. The direct-seeded plots averaged a thirty percent greater fruit yield than the transplanted plots. The average fruit soluble solids were slightly higher in the transplanted plots. The °Brix-yields averaged eleven percent higher in the direct-seeded plots. The decreased fruit yields observed for the transplants was consistent with previous tests conducted locally, although this trend was not consistent. This suggests the need for additional follow-up tests to verify or dispute these results.