Tycoon vs Red Deuce Beefsteak Tomato — Which Is Right for You?
by Paramount Seeds on Aug 31 2026
Both Tycoon F1 and Red Deuce F1 are proven beefsteak tomatoes but they're built for different situations. Here's a direct comparison to help you choose.
| Tycoon F1 | Red Deuce F1 |
Quick Comparison
| Characteristic | Tycoon F1 (TY) | Red Deuce F1 |
|---|---|---|
| Fruit weight | 250–350g | ~285g (10 oz) |
| Fruit shape | Beefsteak | Flattened globe |
| Days to maturity | ~71 days | ~71 days |
| Production system | Outdoor, nethouse | Outdoor, short greenhouse crop |
| TYLCV resistance | Yes (IR) | No |
| Seed form | Thiram treated | Pelleted + Thiram treated |
| Interior quality | High quality, uniform | Solid, meaty — excellent fresh market |
Tycoon F1 (TY) — Best for High Disease Pressure Environments
Tycoon F1 is one of the most widely deployed beefsteak tomatoes in TYLCV-prone regions. If Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus is a recurring concern in your growing area, Tycoon's intermediate resistance makes it a dependable standard. Its broad disease resistance package covers Verticillium wilt, Fusarium wilt (races 1 & 2), ToMV, and TSWV, making it a low-risk choice for outdoor and nethouse programs where disease management can be challenging.
Choose Tycoon if:
- You're in a TYLCV-pressure region — see our guide on understanding viral threats in greenhouse tomatoes
- You need a proven, widely adopted variety with a long track record
- You're growing in outdoor or nethouse conditions
- You want flexibility across a wide fruit size range (250–350g)
Red Deuce F1 — Best for Early Harvest and Fresh Market Quality
Red Deuce F1 is an extra-large beefsteak engineered for vine-ripe, early harvest with outstanding fresh market presentation. At ~71 days to maturity, it's among the faster-maturing beefsteak options, making it well-suited for growers who need to turn crops quickly or run short greenhouse production cycles. Its solid, meaty interior and strong red color give it excellent shelf appeal and consumer acceptance.
Choose Red Deuce if:
- Fresh market appearance and interior quality are top priorities
- You want an earlier harvest window (~71 days)
- You're running a short greenhouse crop cycle
- TYLCV is not a significant concern in your region
- You prefer pelleted seed for easier precision planting
Disease Resistance at a Glance
Tycoon F1:
HR: Vd, Fol (race 1,2), ToMV, TSWV
IR: Mj, Mi, Sl, TYLCV
Red Deuce F1:
HR: Vd1, Va1, Fol1,2, ToMV, Aal
Tycoon carries a notably broader resistance package, including TYLCV and TSWV. Red Deuce adds Alternaria alternata (Aal) resistance, which can be useful in specific environments. If ToBRFV resistance is also a priority, explore our ToBRFV-resistant tomato varieties including DRTH5075 F1.
Summary
If disease pressure — particularly TYLCV — is your primary concern, Tycoon F1 is the safer, more proven choice. If you're prioritizing early vine-ripe harvest, fresh market presentation, and a fast crop cycle, Red Deuce F1 delivers on all three.
Both are available in 50, 100, 1,000, and 5,000 seed packs from Paramount Seeds. Looking for more beefsteak options? Also consider the Torero F1 for high-yield greenhouse performance.