Murcia will incorporate new varieties of seedless table grapes to expand production schedules and sales of this product. It is one of four major programs to breed grapes that will allow the region of Murcia to be the owner of its own variety.
According to the online edition of La Opinion de Murcia, the Regional Ministry has signed a collaboration agreement with Murcia's Research and Agricultural Development Institute (IMIDA) and the Innovation and Table Grape Technology Company (ITUM) through which the research conducted to get these new varieties will be renewed.
This new research seeks to obtain a new line of high quality hybrids varieties of seedless table grapes, that are resistant to the powdery mildew and the downy mildew fungi, and that can facilitate cultivation techniques and expand the business calendar via the early and late grapes. The region produces 90 percent of the seedless grape varieties grown in Spain.
Overall, there are 250 acres devoted to the cultivation of the new registered varieties and their production is being marketed successfully in Spain, in countries of the European Union, South Africa, and South America.
According to the Regional Ministry, the results of this research project "make it possible to have our own supply of grapes and allows the farmers from Murcia to own their own varieties, so they don't have to pay the royalties of importing from other countries."
Source: Fyh.es