Trifecta
A tomato bred in Queensland for our conditions

Trifecta (left) is the latest tomato to be commercialised as part of our 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 to 200 g, than many other varieties, particularly for later harvests. It has excellent internal fruit quality, an attractive uniform shape and is firm for better transporting. Trifecta matures about 7 to 10 days later than many commercial varieties currently grown.

Our fresh market tomato breeding program operates at several centres in Queensland. It is the only active program of tomato 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, around 21 percent of the Australian production and 56 percent of its value.

Breeding tomatoes with added health benefits

DPI&F scientists are also looking at developing tomatoes with additional health benefits. Consumption of tomatoes and tomato products has been linked to a reduced incidence of certain cancers, particularly prostate cancer.

Evidence suggests that the active component involved is lycopene, the carotenoid pigment that makes tomatoes red. A current project is aiming at increasing by three times the level of lycopene found in normal tomatoes and developing a highly marketable product with superior appearance, flavour, and field characteristics.

Further information

• Further information about Trifecta and where to buy seeds is available by contacting Syngenta on (03) 9706 3033 or emailing the DPI&F tomato breeder Des McGrath.
  
  
• For more DPI&F information on tomatoes visit the tomato home page.

DPI&F information and services

• To access DPI&F's information and services, Queensland residents can contact the DPI&F Business Information Centre on 13 25 23 for the cost of a local call, from 8 am to 6 pm Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays). E-mail callweb@dpi.qld.gov.au. Non-Queensland residents phone (07) 3404 6999.

• Other horticultural information is available on the Plant industries home page.

Industry links

• Industry links is a page of links to various sites of interest to horticultural growers.

Acknowledgements

The tomato breeding project is funded by Syngenta and DPI&F.