A strong determinate, ultra quick, long shelf-life hybrid with excellent fruit quality
• Early maturity 75 - 80 days
• Concentrated bearing period
• Utilise in slots - early and late season
• Combination of virus and bacteria resistance
Type:
A strong determinate tomato hybrid suited to open-field production for the fresh market as a trellised or un-trellised type.
Maturity:
ZANDRA is classed as an early maturing variety but would be slightly later than STAR 9008. In Summer plantings the first fruit will mature in 75 - 80 days after transplanting. The date of harvesting may vary by as much as 10 days between early and late season plantings. This needs to be taken into consideration when planning planting schedules under different growing conditions. When grown un trellised, ZANDRA could mature up to 5 days earlier.
Plant Characteristics:
ZANDRA has a strong determinate and compact growth habit with more vigour than Star 9008. Plant height can vary between 1,0m and 1,3m. When trellised, at least 2-3 wires are necessary to trellis the plants effectively.
Fruit Characteristics:
ZANDRA produces uniform deep oblate to globe fruit, weighing between 140-150 grams. Fruit is very attractive and has very small calyx scar. It has exceptional quality and some of the best firmness experienced so far in this segment. The fruit of ZANDRA resembles that of a true greenhouse variety. The long shelf life fruit should be harvested just after the “champagne colour” stage to ensure good internal colour and taste development.
Plant Population:
Un-trellised: A plant population of 10,000 - 15,000 plants per hectare with a row spacing of not less than 2 - 2.5m and an in-row spacing of 30 - 40 cm is recommended. Trellised: A plant population of 15 - 18 000 should be used when trellised to one or two wires.
Disease Resistance:
HR: Verticillium Wilt (Va, Vd), Fusarium Wilt (Fol 2), Bacterial Wilt (Rs), Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV)
IR: Root-knot Nematodes (Ma, Mi,Mj), Powdery Mildew (lt), Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus (TSWV).
Features & Benefits:
ZANDRA produces some of the best quality long shelf life fruit commercially available on a strong determinate plant in the open field. The unique features of ZANDRA are:
(i) early maturity;
(ii) a concentrated fruit set;
(iii) reduces production costs;
(iv) high quality fruit.
ZANDRA performs above average in dry conditions with low rainfalls as a un trellised type, but is recommended to trellis to one or two wires in heavy rainfall areas. ZANDRA has the ability to yield well over 100 tons per hectare. The high yield potential and short growing season should be considered when planning the crops fertilizing needs. When compared to Star 9008, the bearing period is not as concentrated and will last around 3 - 6weeks.