The Organic Outdoor Tomato Project

The Organic Outdoor Tomato Project was established in 2003 with up to 34 experimental locations in Germany. International cooperation includes research institutions, extension service, botanical gardens, commercial and amateur gardens.
Tomatoes are the most important vegetable both on the global scale and in Germany. In Germany tomatoes are grown in almost every market garden, but only 15% of the demand are met. A major factor limiting the production are problems in outdoor cropping systems.



Outdoor production needs far less external input than the production in greenhouses or polytunnels. It is seriously impaired by late blight, a fungal disease caused by Phytophthora infestans. Thus, breeding for resistance is the major objective. Other important traits are fruit quality, chilling tolerance, nutrient efficiency, drought tolerance, and resistance against Alternaria solani and A. alternata.