"Our research has its roots in history and tradition, but is always looking ahead, looking for innovations to make our clients' work easier and promoting consumer interest in tomatoes. New tomato types were created through this, such as the ribbed long life, in which the Rebelion is the main standard, as it combines tradition and innovation," explains Juan José García, Junior tomato breeder at Vilmorin Ibérica (Photo).
The most innovative of Vilmorin's varieties for the current campaign is the V-410 vine tomato, whose main characteristics are the quality of its fruits, good colour, firmness and excellent preservation, production, resistance and uniformity. All formats are possible: conventional, integrated and organic.
"The V-410 is in its final pre-commercial stage. It is intended to provide better calibres and ensure profitability for the growers," explains Juan José García.
Rebelion 2 variety
Another commercial addition for next campaign is the Rebelion 2, within the ribbed long life market; ideal for production areas more likely to suffer Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus (TYLCV).
"It is an evolved version of the Rebelion, with added resistance to TYLCV and the main soil-transmitted diseases, such as Nematodes and Fusariosis. It has the same characteristics of its predecessor in terms of flavour, colour, shape, firmness and preservation," he points out.
Another noteworthy addition is the RS03 rootstock, which "provides extra vigour compared to previous versions, as well as an excellent fruit size and high productivity." This new rootstock will join the ones already consolidated in the market (SUPERPRO and INTERPRO), which by providing great vigour to the plant and calibre uniformity to the fruit, as well as resistance to Nematodes, give producers a greater peace of mind.
Vilmorin has worked very hard to have a presence in all major markets with varieties in the following types: Pinton, Vine, Pear, Cherry and Ribbed long life, as well as a wide range of rootstocks.
"The Pear tomato segment has historically been our specialty. Vilmorin was one of the first firms to introduce long life polygenetic varieties, beginning with the Cencara, the first variety of the type in history. This strategy has continued until the present day with our latest launch, the Trujillo variety."
Trujillo variety
Trujillo is a Pear type variety suitable for both long term and short term cycle crops in Autumn and Spring. It is a very fertile plant, which settles in both cold and warm climates, always providing a great productivity. It stands out for its intense red colour, even in high humidity and low temperature conditions. It performs well against micro-cracking and offers great post-harvest preservation. It also has a medium resistance to TYLCV and Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus (TSWV).
Vilmorin has worked very hard to have a presence in all major markets with varieties in the following types: Pinton, Vine, Pear, Cherry and Ribbed long life, as well as a wide range of rootstocks.
"The Pear tomato segment has historically been our specialty. Vilmorin was one of the first firms to introduce long life polygenetic varieties, beginning with the Cencara, the first variety of the type in history. This strategy has continued until the present day with our latest launch, the Trujillo variety."
Trujillo variety
Trujillo is a Pear type variety suitable for both long term and short term cycle crops in Autumn and Spring. It is a very fertile plant, which settles in both cold and warm climates, always providing a great productivity. It stands out for its intense red colour, even in high humidity and low temperature conditions. It performs well against micro-cracking and offers great post-harvest preservation. It also has a medium resistance to TYLCV and Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus (TSWV).
"The results are so good that the sector's big cooperatives in Almeria are recommending the variety. It is worth noting that during its first year in the market, it has already become the number one Spring-grown Pear variety," adds Juan José García.
Sirelyan, in Italy, is the leading San Marzano type. It provides great sizes, as demanded by Mediterranean markets, which together with its resistance to TSWV and to Nematodes have turned it into an innovative product suitable for all productive cycles in those countries.
As for the Cherry type, Vilmorin offers Scialiari, a variety to be harvested on the vine. "Its resistance level to TYLCV, attractive appearance of the vine and good performance against cracking are its identifying features."
The mentality change in Almeria's plantations is not only leading to the introduction of new agricultural techniques, but it is also steering the work of seed-producing firms towards the search of new varieties adapted to the new needs. It is a fact that vine tomato production has considerably increased in recent years.
"In this sense, Vilmorin is putting its trust on this new type, taking into account parameters such as quality and fruit uniformity for our germplasm selection and hybrid creation processes, to make them able to compete both as vine and loose tomatoes. It is necessary to satisfy the new consumer demands in terms of flavour, presentation, ease of use, new formats, organic production, etc.," he concludes.
For more information:
Juan José García, Junior Breeder
Juan Luis Granero, Research & Development Manager
Vilmorin Ibérica, S.A
T: +34 950554031
juanjose.garcia@vilmorin.com
juan-luis.granero@vilmorin.com
www.vilmorin.com