 Dr Sharp has found other lost varieties of tomato |
A Lancashire university is on a mission to return a forgotten tomato variety to its native Manx homeland. The Manx Marvel tomato is thought to have originally been grown on the island before it disappeared.
Dr Russell Sharp, a plant scientist at the Lancaster Environment Centre, wants to revive the variety.
He obtained the Manx Marvel seeds from an American seed bank and is looking for island gardeners to grow the forgotten variety of tomato.
Local sources
Last year, Dr Sharp, who is based at Lancaster University, found a lost Leicestershire tomato variety called the Blaby Special.
This particular variety ceased to be cultivated in Leicestershire after World War II but is now being grown across the county.
Dr Sharp believes there is a greater awareness of the need for genetic diversity in crops and the benefits of sourcing fruit and vegetables from local sources.
"To my knowledge the Manx Marvel is not currently cultivated on the island, however with the help of local people I hope to get this variety growing again in Manx soil, " he said.
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