The Sicilian lettuce market is stable, traditional and not easy to conquer. It consists mainly of iceberg and Roman lettuce and producers can grow these two varieties perfectly, obtaining excellent heads with high yields.
Bayer CropScience Vegetable Seeds made its début on the market with a wide assortment of Nunhems® lettuces available throughout the year.
"There are five varieties of iceberg available that are suitable for both the fresh and fresh-cut markets," explains Salvatore Gaglione, lettuce account manager.
Metalia* is summery, very resistant to high temperatures and tolerant to bolting and Tip burn;
Densilva*, dark green autumn variety with a light green heart, good resistance to bolting and tolerant to Tip burn;
Mestiza, medium-big autumn variety with a light green heart and tolerant to Tip burn;
Vanguardia, light green autumn-winter variety ideal for harvesting in January-March. Resistant to Big Vein. Big grades and very appreciated for its rusticity;
Elsol* is characterised by its shape and grade. Tolerant to bolting and Tip burn.
"All five have the maximum resistance to Bremia lactucae (downy mildew) required by the market, i.e. Bl 16-32".
The two Roman varieties are Bison and Grandolia - rustic and suitable for the winter period. "Bison is a dark green variety that can be cultivated between October and January. High vigour with big grades, semi-open shape and round base. Very consistent leaves guaranteeing high yields."
"Grandolia is a dark green medium-late variety to be cultivated between mid-September and late January. Big grades and semi-open heads Destined mainly to the fresh produce market. Good resistance to Tip burn and excellent resistance to bolting."
These varieties were presented by Bayer CropScience Vegetable Seeds to over 50 producers in the Syracuse plain during a meeting organised in cooperation with Vivaio Mondo Verde.
"Our varieties are so rustic they do not need any particular precautions to be taken, they grow even in difficult conditions. The summer ones in particular can deal with high temperatures really well, thus tolerating bolting."
Nunhems varieties are ready to play the leading role in Syracuse.
Click here to download the technical sheets.
Contacts:
Salvatore Gaglione - lettuce account manager
Cell.: +39 349 5508377
Email: salvatore.gaglione@bayer.com
William Cavalieri - lettuce sales specialist for North and Central Italy
Cell.: +39 345 4390451
Email: william.cavalieri@bayer.com