Tomato Ballad

Tomato 'Ballad' is a medium-early determinate variety with a maturity period of 114 to 116 days. Compact plants, 45-50 cm tall, facilitate care and harvesting. Fruits have a flat-round shape, smooth surface, and rich red color. Fruit weight ranges from 120 to 200 grams, with high dry matter content (5.0-6.0%), sugars (3.1-4.0%), and ascorbic acid (19.1-21.6%), ensuring excellent taste and suitability for fresh consumption, as well as processing into tomato juice and paste. The variety features simultaneous fruit ripening and high yield of standard tomatoes—up to 95%—contributing to high productivity, reaching 60-80 tons per hectare. Due to good transportability and storability, 'Ballad' tomatoes are convenient for transport and storage, which is particularly important for mass production and commercial cultivation. Additionally, the variety is resistant to common diseases such as mosaic, alternaria, and bacterial spot, reducing the risk of crop loss and minimizing the need for intensive chemical protection. Tomato 'Ballad' can be grown using either seedling or direct sowing methods. Seeds are recommended to be sown at the end of February in peat soil to a depth of no more than 1 cm. Seedlings are thinned when two true leaves appear and transplanted into open or protected soil when they have six leaves. Moderate watering with warm water, 2-3 feedings, regular loosening, and weeding are necessary for successful growth. Low-growing plants with aromatic and juicy fruits make this variety attractive for both home cultivation and industrial production.