Pop Vriend Seeds introduces new strains at Fruit Logistica

Pop Vriend Seeds is a family company from Andijk, the Netherlands, that started as a bean trader in 1956, and developed into a global agriculturalist that improves seeds for beans, spinach, corn, chard and beetroot. “Our grandfather Pop Vriend founded the company 60 years ago, and we are extremely proud of the success of our breeding station. We might be a small player, but we are large in the crops we have,” says CEO Lara Timmerman.

The agriculturalists of Pop Vriend Seeds will also be present with the latest developments at the Fruit Logistica in Berlin this year. “We have succeeded in developing Pfs 1-16 hybrid spinach, the highest possible resistance to downy mildew as yet,” says manager R&D Jan de Visser. “These strains of spinach combine the downy mildew resistance Pfs 1-16 with an excellent plant and leaf type.”

Red char is becoming increasingly popular in a baby leaf mix because of its colour and nutrients. De Visser continues: “The challenge with char is developing an attractive green leaf with red veins which can be produced year-round. Pop Vriend Seeds has developed a wide range of new, powerful hybrids to this end. Think of, for example, the Fluence F1 and Ion F1. Both hybrids are intermediary resistant to downy mildew and are practically desensitised to suction damage caused by thrips.”

A separate complete and known programme from Pop Vriend Seeds is the bean programme. The assortment is suitable for industry and the fresh market, especially in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the US. De Visser explains: “In 2016 we introduced a number of new strains. For example, Seagull, which is cultivated in Africa. It is a flexible strain with a good resistance to rust and an improved shelf life for the fresh market. Our new introductions for the fresh market focus in particular on a wider resistance to rust, heat tolerance and plants with higher yields, a better shelf life and are more labour-friendly.”

“In the seed improving programme of beetroot, especially Jolie F1 is worth mentioning, because of its high brix levels and good leaf quality. A proper addition to the available strain assortment for cultivators, and with an added value for all supply chain participants. Because of its round shape, this strain is also suitable as baby beet.”

“The corn assortment of Pop Vriend Seeds is known for its flexible varieties with wide harvest trajectory. This quality, combined with its excellent shelf life and flavour, is especially in demand in Eastern Europe. The strong resistance to diseases mean the strains are versatile,” De Visser says.

In addition to the agriculturalists and the product specialists, the representatives of vegetable seeds will also be present at the Fruit Logistica. They can give information about the entire programme of fixed seeds and hybrid strains for all vegetable seeds, especially for use in Africa, the Middle East and Eastern Europe.

Pop Vriend Seeds can be found in hall 1.2, stand D-11.