The Valencian cooperative Benihort has carried out a new test on watermelons in order to find out which varieties have higher yields for producers and select those that are better adapted to market demand.
Major multinational companies have shown interest in this study, which was released at Benihort's Second Watermelon Conference, and which will be implemented in the 2017 campaign. Commercial firms, customers, partners and technical staff were present at the presentation of this trial, which has studied those varieties which, in terms of both size and production, are more suited to meet the market requirements.
The study started in late April in an area of 7,000 square metres owned by Benihort partner Eduardo Arín. "2,254 plants from our nursery were planted here and research covers up to 31 watermelon varieties of the Boston, Style and Mini types, which include black, white and striped seedless watermelons of different sizes, as well as their pollinators," explained the technician of the cooperative, Javier Rillo.
Rillo also notes that "the market trend is to demand watermelons of smaller sizes, around two kilos, and this is something we have seriously taken into account with this trial." Furthermore, he feels satisfied with this study, because "it has been a team effort which has counted with the collaboration of many, including the nursery's staff, the partners who agreed to offer us their fields, our technicians, and some major seed companies."
In this sense, Benihort director Guillermo Edo has appreciated "the huge involvement of major multinationals such as Agriset, ISI Sementi, Rijk Zwaan, Diamond Seeds, Nunhems, Syngenta, Intersemillas, Hazera or Sakata, which have contributed to the study with their seeds, as well as the advice given by Anecoop on the varieties tested, which is encouraging us to continue organising it on a biennial basis."