A study published in Ceres found tomato varieties that thrive when grown under organic conditions in Brazil, providing higher-yielding tomatoes and better quality than popular slicer tomato varieties.   

Organic tomatoes are a highlight among organic produce because of their higher concentration of antioxidants and other known health benefits compared to non-organic tomatoes. Despite this, most varieties are not developed for the arduous conditions of organic agriculture, presenting challenges for organic farmers who do not farm with synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.  

The researchers cultivated 14 varieties of tomato to examine their differences in yield and quality: size, firmness, acidity, sweetness and other criteria when grown under organic conditions. The study took place in the southern state of Paraná which has a humid subtropical climate, so these findings could apply to organic tomato farmers in parts of the U.S. with a comparable climate like southeastern states. 

The study suggests certain roma and saladette tomato varieties may perform better in organic agriculture. Knowing this is important because it provides organic farmers with tools for greater success and consumers of organic tomatoes with more choice at the market.