Nirosa plant
"Research is focusing on plants that are self-fertile, with regular productivity, resistant to Sharka and producing fruit with a good flavour and shelf-life. We do not aim at licencing too many new varieties. At the moment, we are focusing on Nirosa 2. Although it is still being assessed, results are good so far."
Nirosa 2 ripens at the same time as the Luna and Bora varieties
Nirosa 2 ripens at the same time of the Luna and Bora varieties, it is self-fertile and produces good-coloured fruit with a nice flavour.
Nirosa 1, self-fertile and with a good flavour
Talking to an audience of over 50 growers, technicians and sales managers, Foschi explained that "the industry does not like the red varieties because the colour is not good to make juices and jams. I say this because sometimes people say that, if a variety does not sell well on the fresh market, it can always be sold to the industry. That's not always the case."
Some people in the audience reported that, over the past few years, some varieties produced very little, like for example Bora. Forschi replied that, while it is true, each case must be assessed separately. The weather, thinning operations, micro-climate and orchard management are all elements that affect productivity. Without forgetting that, in 2016, heavy rain during blossoming compromised the whole year.
"There exists no perfect variety for everyone. Success in apricot production depends 50% on the variety and 50% on other factors."