of all varieties. Variety UH-N69 and Celebrity produced marketable yields of 32.3 and 30.01t ha, respectively (Table
4). Fruits of Caralbowere significantlysmaller than the other varieties. The percentage total soluble solids was lower
in 1992 compared to 1991.
 The five tomato varieties can be separated on the basis of their weekly production levels. Calypso, Caraibo and
UH-N69 produced higher yields during the second and third week of harvest. Floradade and Celebrity produced
higher yields after the third week. The late-yielding characteristic of Celebrity and Floradade contributes to higher
susceptibility to pest and diseases during the latter part of the growing season. Harvesting of Caraibo fruits
demanded more labor than other varieties due to a large number of small fruits and shorter plant height.
 Based on this trial, Celebrity, Floradade and UH-N69 are the best varieties for fresh market tomato production
in the Virgin Islands.


 Table 4. Total and marketable yield and fruit quality of tomato varieties
 grown during spring, 1992, at UVI-AES.

 Yield (t ha')' Fruit size' Soluble solids
 Variety Total Marketable (g) (%)

 UH-N69 36.0 a 32.3 a 148.0 a 3.4 a
 Celebrity 34.7 a 30.0 a 182.5 a 3.5 a
 Caraibo 29.6 a 26.5 a 113.5 b 3.1 a
 Calypso 27.9 a 23.8 a 181.0 a 3.2 a
 Floradade 26.0 a 22.4 a 157.8 a 3.3 a

 'Means within a column followed by the same letter are not
 significantly different by Duncan's Multiple Range Test, (P=0.05).


Summary

 The four evaluation trials identified promising varieties suitable for spring and summer plantings. Yields from
spring and summer, 1988, trials were generally lower than spring, 1991. and 1992 trials. This can be explained by
varietaldifferences and the number of harvests. The harvest period for spring, 1991, and 1992 trials was longerthan
the 1988 trials; thus, yields were higher. For spring planting, varieties Capitan, Celebrity, UH-N69 and Floradade
are suitable, whereas Capitan and CL 5915-390,-1-2-0 looked promising for summer production.
 The results of these trials are insufficient for varietial recommendations since data represent only the spring
(three trials) and summer (one trial) growing season. Tomatoes can be grown all year in the Virgin Islands, but the
best season for yield and quality is the fall-winter growing season when cool temperatures are ideal for flower and
fruit development. A repeat of the spring and summer season trials will increase the reliability of overall trial results.
In addition, a fall and winter evaluation trials may identify different varieties that are suitable and high-yielding.


CharlesCollingwood, researchanalyst,shown ying
tomato vines on bamboo stakes to prevent lodging.