Rutgers unveils ‘Scarlet Sunrise,’ a sweet, crack-resistant tomato nearly a decade in the making
NEW JERSEY — After nearly 10 years of development, Rutgers University researchers are ready to debut a new tomato variety they say is as flavorful as it is resilient.
The ‘Scarlet Sunrise,’ a golden-hued grape tomato with a reddish blush, was bred to combine sweetness, firmness and resistance to cracking, according to researchers Peter Nitzsche and Tom Orton, who led the project. Samples will be available Aug. 27 during Rutgers’ annual Open House and Tomato Tasting at the Clifford E. and Melda C. Snyder Research and Extension Farm in Pittstown.
“This is a great example of how our innovative Rutgers scientists collaborate with New Jersey industries to conduct research that serves communities throughout the state and region,” said Josh Kohut, dean of research at the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences.
The tomato’s origins trace back to 2012, when the researchers set out to merge the best traits of a commercial red grape tomato known for its firmness with those of a bicolor cherry tomato prized for flavor but prone to splitting. Years of crossbreeding, backcrossing, field trials and lab analysis eventually produced the desired combination of traits, despite the challenges of working with tiny, delicate grape tomato flowers.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has granted plant-variety protection for ‘Scarlet Sunrise.’ Originally set for release in 2020, its debut was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Rutgers is now seeking seed partnerships with commercial growers.
“We’ve always tried to focus on flavor as the competitive advantage for New Jersey growers,” Nitzsche said. “It doesn’t have to be perfect-looking. It just has to taste great.”
The variety’s balance of sugar and acid makes it ideal for snacking, and its distinctive yellow-and-red coloring inspired its name.
At the Aug. 27 tasting, attendees can sample ‘Scarlet Sunrise’ alongside dozens of other tomato varieties, take wagon tours, explore educational displays and meet Rutgers Master Gardeners. The event is open to the public.
The release of ‘Scarlet Sunrise’ is part of Rutgers’ ongoing tomato breeding program, which continues to explore new traits and plant structures aimed at improving production for farmers and gardeners alike.
