This document summarizes a presentation given by Emily Rose Haga, a plant breeder at Johnny's Selected Seeds, about tomato breeding at their company. It discusses Johnny's early history and focus on traditional plant breeding methods. Haga describes the diversity of tomato varieties and traits they evaluate in trials. The breeding process is outlined, from initial crosses and selection through variety testing and seed production. Two recently released tomato varieties developed by Johnny's are highlighted.

1. Johnny’s Selected Seeds
These slides were presented at the 30th
Annual Carolina Farm Stewardship
Association by Plant Breeder Emily Rose
Haga.
Please do not reproduce without the express
consent of Johnny’s Selected Seeds
Contact Information:
Emily Rose Haga
ehaga@johnnyseeds.com
(207) 861-3974
Johnnyseeds.com | 1-877-564-6697

2. Tomato Breeding at
Johnny’s Selected Seeds
Emily Rose Haga
Plant Breeder
Johnnyseeds.com | 1-877-564-6697

3. Johnny’s Early Years
Johnnyseeds.com | 1-877-564-6697

4. Johnny’s Early Years
Johnnyseeds.com | 1-877-6697

5. Johnny’s Selected Seeds
Johnnyseeds.com | 1-877-6697
Variety Trials @ Johnny’s Research Farm

6. Johnny’s Selected Seeds
Johnnyseeds.com | 1-877-6697
Seed Testing @ Johnny’s QA Lab

7. Johnny’s Selected Seeds
Johnnyseeds.com | 1-877-6697
Plant Breeding @ Johnny’s Research Farm
 60 JSS Bred
Varieties
 7 All American
Selection Winners
 2013 Breeder’s Cup
Award

8. Johnny’s Selected Seeds
Johnnyseeds.com | 1-877-6697
Next Generation of
Plant Breeders @ Johnny’s

9. Johnny’s Tomato R&D
Diversity of Trials at Johnny’s:
 Field & Greenhouse varieties
 Traditional, Heirloom, &
Specialty types
 Hybrid & Open Pollinated
varieties
 Rootstock & Grafted varieties
Traits of Interest:
 Flavor & Quality
 Disease Resistance
 Yield
 Dependability
 Broad & Regional adaptation
Johnnyseeds.com | 1-877-564-6697

10. Johnny’s Field Tomato Trials
Johnnyseeds.com | 1-877-6697

11. Johnny’s Greenhouse Tomato Trials
Johnnyseeds.com | 1-877-6697

12. Johnny’s Tomato Breeding
Johnnyseeds.com | 1-877-6697
 Focus on:
 Traditional Plant Breeding methods
 Niche opportunities not satisfied by
supply network
 Unique needs of direct market
growers
 Selection under organic & low-input
environments
 Open-field, short-season adaptation

13. Johnny’s Tomato Breeding
Johnnyseeds.com | 1-877-6697
Hand Pollinations @ Johnny’s Research Farm

14. Johnny’s Tomato Breeding
Johnnyseeds.com | 1-877-6697
Selection Criteria:
Flavor & Texture
Direct Market Appeal
Early Maturity
Yield (Total & Marketable)
Foliar Disease Resistance
Plant Architecture
Tomato Breeding Nursery @ Johnny’s
Research Farm

15. Johnnyseeds.com | 1-877-6697
Ind Red LBR
Slicer
F2
F1
Det Red LBR
Slicer
Ind Green
Heirloom
Segregating for plant habit, color, LBR, & more…. P (green, det, LBR) = 9/1024!
F3
Johnny’s Tomato Breeding

16. Johnnyseeds.com | 1-877-6697
Johnny’s Tomato Breeding
F3
Select within & between families
F4
Select within & between families
F5
Select between families
F6+
Finished Product = Breeding Line,
Hybrid Parent, or OP variety

17. Johnny’s Tomato Breeding
Johnnyseeds.com | 1-877-6697
Johnny’s Regional Tomato Trial Visits

18. Johnnyseeds.com | 1-877-6697
Johnny’s Tomato Breeding
Hand
Pollinations
Breeding &
Selection
Variety
Testing
Seed
Production
Breeding
Seed
Foundation
Seed
Stock Seed
Commercial
Seed

19. Johnny’s Tomato Breeding
Johnnyseeds.com | 1-877-6697
Seed Production @ Johnny’s Research Farm

20. Johnny’s Tomato Breeding
Johnnyseeds.com | 1-877-6697
Seed Production @ Johnny’s Research Farm

21. Johnny’s Tomato Breeding
Johnnyseeds.com | 1-877-6697
 Clementine F1
 Tangerine Orange Cocktail
 Sweet-Tart Flavor
 Fusarium & Crack Resistant
 Compliment to Mountain Magic

22. Johnny’s Tomato Breeding
Johnnyseeds.com | 1-877-6697
Cherry Bomb F1
Classic Red Cherry
Late Blight Resistant
for field protection
Ideal harvest &
snacking size
Excellent, well-
balanced cherry flavor
Attractive calyx

23. Johnny’s Tomato Breeding
Johnnyseeds.com | 1-877-6697
Thank you!! Any Questions??