The Tozer lettuce breeding programme works to meet the demand for a wide variety of different types, shapes and colours. As well as the traditional Butterhead, Cos and Crisp/Iceberg we now have newer types such as Batavias, Oakleaf, Lollos and lots of coloured varieties.
Downy mildew has and always will play an important part in the breeding process because of the implications it has for growers. It is a complicated subject as the fungus is constantly able to change its virulence. Our varieties with several different genes for resistance should provide greater protection from the disease
Butterheads form loose heads and have a' buttery' texture, the leaves tend to be soft and the flavour sweeter than other lettuce types.
Cos/Romaine varieties tend to grow in a long head of sturdy leaves with a firm rib down the centre. They are more tolerant of heat than most other lettuce types.
Non-heading lettuce types tend to be Oakleaf and Lollo Verdi types, they tend to be fairly delicate with a mild flavour. Non-heading types may be used for 'multi-leaf' mechanical harvesting production which can give several harvests.
Cos, lollo Rossa, Oakleaf and Batavian types which have leaf colours ranging from bronze to intense bright red. The 'redness' of lettuce leaves is strongly influenced by day-length and intensity of sunlight.
