Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3 Western Australia, Series 3
Volume 4
Number 2 March-April, 1955 Article 24
3-1955
The Lakeland tomato The Lakeland tomato
D. A. Johnston
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Recommended Citation Recommended Citation
Johnston, D. A. (1955) "The Lakeland tomato," Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3: Vol. 4: No. 2, Article 24.
Available at: https://library.dpird.wa.gov.au/journal_agriculture3/vol4/iss2/24
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Pig. 1.—Lakeland is a tall-growing variety, and there are usually from five to seven flowers to the cluster, with nearly all clusters producing good quality fruit
THE LAKELAND TOMATO
A Variety that has proved successful for Winter Production By D. A. JOHNSTON, B.Sc. (Agric), M.DA. (Hons.), Agricultural Adviser
V7"EAR-ROUND tomato production in Western Australia is dependent upon adequate -•- water supplies and freedom from frosts. The metropolitan area and the lower South-West are t h e summer-producing areas, but winter production is practically con- fined to the Geraldton district. Many mar ket gardeners in the metropolitan area have frost-free positions however, and there is a n opening for varieties which are adapted to winter conditions.
In recent years, there has been a n in- creasing demand for good quality toma- toes during t h e winter season. Produc- tion a t Geraldton has largely satisfied this demand, but metropolitan growers have also been keen to share in this expanding market. However, local varieties have proved unprofitable when grown during t h e winter period, and so the demand for
a suitable winter variety has steadily in- creased. This demand may be, to some extent, overcome by t h e recently-intro- duced variety, Lakeland.
ORIGIN OF LAKELAND
The Lakeland variety was imported from California, U.S.A., in 1952 for trial purposes, the variety having already shown itself capable of producing good quality fruit under cool conditions with low light intensities (Advance in Agro- nomy, Vol. II, 1950, New York, U.S.A.) The variety, therefore, appeared to be worthy of trial, and arrangements were made to carry out a detailed experiment in t h e 1953 winter season.
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Journal of agriculture Vol. 4 1955
In order to test t h e new introduction, it was necesary to com- p a r e it with a local variety which h a d been grown over t h e winter period with some success. For this purpose, a selection of t h e Wanneroo Late variety was used. A h i g h p o s i t i o n was selected on a n orange- yellow t u a r t sand with a n easterly aspect. T h e site was t h u s protected from t h e main force of t h e rain-bearing winds. T h e selection of a suitable site is most i m p o r t a n t when growing winter t o m a - toes. Not only should it be situated as a l - ready s t a t e d ; but it m u s t also be frost-free.
RESULTS OF TRIALS
A p a r t f r o m i t s V a l u e Fig. 2.—Lakeland fruits
for commercial crop- ping, Lakeland should
prove a useful variety for the home gardener who prefers a n indeterminate variety. I n trials conducted by t h e Vege- table Branch, Lakeland produced 25 per cent, more fruit by weight t h a n t h e Wan- neroo Late. It was also found t h a t Lake- land produced a far greater quantity of flrst-grafie fruit t h a n Wanneroo Late. In t h e trials, 8 i per cent, of t h e Lakeland fruit was first grade, as against 58 per cent.
of t h e Wanneroo Late.
The Wanneroo Late variety produced a heavy proportion of second-grade and u n - saleable t h i r d - g r a d e fruit, as is shown by t h e following table.
EXPERIMENTAL YIELDS CALCULATED TO TONS PER ACRE.
a r e s m o o t h , deep a n d globe-shaped.
free from r a d i a l c r a c k i n g They a r e practically
Variety. Total Yield.
Yield First Grade Fruit.
Yield Second
Orade Fruit.
Yield Third Grade Fruit.
Lakeland ....
Wanneroo Late
per acre.
21-88 17-99
per acre.
18-14 10-46
per acre.
1-80 4 0 3
per acre.
1-94 3-50
Another consideration of importance to the commercial producer and t h e home gardener, is t h a t t h e fruit of Lakeland is generally more attractive in appearance t h a n t h a t of t h e Wanneroo Late.
DESCRIPTION
Lakeland is regarded as a variety suit- able for a u t u m n , winter and early spring cropping. I t is of earlier maturity t h a n the Wanneroo Late, with larger and more uniform fruit. Unlike t h e Wanneroo Late variety, Lakeland is almost entirely free from radial cracking. The smooth, deep, globe-shaped fruit carry well and have an excellent flavour.
Like most varieties, Lakeland is sus- ceptible to t h e early blight fungus (Alter- naria sp.) a n d control measures are neces- sary. The variety is fairly resistant to fusarium wilt, but is susceptible to t h e eelworm a n d Sclerotinia diseases. Lake- land is tall-growing, of indeterminate growth habit, thus making staking and pruning desirable. There are from five to 246
Journal of agriculture Vol. 4 1955
seven flowers per cluster, nearly all clus- ters producing good quality fruit. There is thus no need to discard the plants after t h e first few clusters have been harvested.
COMMERCIAL PERFORMANCE Since its introduction in 1953, Lakeland has been grown in one detailed variety trial and in numerous observational trials throughout the metropolitan area. De- tailed trials are to be conducted a t Gerald- ton to determine its suitability for this district, and tests are also being carried out a t Harvey, on areas where fruit crack- ing is prevalent, probably due to moisture fluctuations. During the 1954 winter months, a successful commercial crop of approximately two acres was grown by Mr. J. Leach who had made his property available for the initial trials. From 8,000 plants, this crop produced 3,422 half
bushel cases of first-quality fruit or a p - proximately 10i pounds per plant. The total estimate of yield was between 5,500- 6,000 cases, the disease Sclerotinia a c - counting for approximately 2,000-2,500 cases. It will be seen t h a t this winter crop of Lakeland tomatoes was quite profitable, yielding more t h a n t h e average summer crop of Wanneroo Late.
CONCLUSION
From results to date, Lakeland has numerous advantages as a winter tomato.
Its high yield of good quality fruit, out- weighs the defect t h a t the fruit may be slightly large for commercial purposes.
Where suitable sites are available, Lake- land may become a valuable crop for the winter months, as well as being useful to the home gardener who wishes to produce good quality tomatoes during June, July and August.
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