"Tang Gold reproduced from Nadorcott through irradiation"

Almost a month ago, the Club of Protected Plant Varieties (CVVP) published a report by the Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology of Plants (IBMCP), in which a thorough scientific description was made in quantitative terms to demonstrate that the late mandarin variety called Tango, also known as Tang Gold, is essentially derived from the Nadorcott.

"The CVVP has always believed that the Tango variety does not differ sufficiently from the Nadorcott to be considered different," affirms Moratal Reyes, manager of CVVP, in an interview to FreshPlaza.

"In the same way that we are certain there is no way for consumers or growers to differentiate them at first glance, the recent analysis carried out through massive DNA sequencing has led scientists to conclude that Tang Gold and Nadorcott are 99.9999997% identical, sharing the same genotype and showing, at least, a conformity revealing an essential gene derivation," he explains.

According to the CVVP representative, the characteristics of the Nadorcott have ensured its great reputation in the citrus market, generating a much higher profit for growers or companies that exploit it, compared to other varieties.

"The Nadorcott is a very productive variety. Its ripening period starts in mid-January and can be kept on the tree until April. It is self-incompatible, it does not produce seeds if there is no cross-pollination," he says. "Its fruit is of medium size, with a very intense and bright reddish colour and a flattened shape. It is easy to peel, with good juice content and a suitable and pleasant balance between sugars and acids. It is much appreciated by children due to its easy peeling."

The CVVP understands that the breeder of Tang Gold has managed to reproduce these features through a simple procedure of irradiation, thereby obtaining a variety that, while it could somehow be distinguished from the original Nadorcott, is in any case essentially derived from it, as it keeps all its essential characteristics.

"The high commercial value achieved by the Nadorcott since its introduction in the market is the result of a large investment in research and development in varietal improvement programs. If the courts finally recognise and determine that the Tang Gold is derived from the Nadorcott, "those willing to commercially exploit the variety will need to have the authorisation of the owner of the Nadorcott license," he stresses.