Syngenta Seeds is the sole Dutch onion breeder. This year, they introduced a new variety - the Promotion. "This variety meets growers' need for a stronger variety. The demand for a strong, durable, hardy variety is higher than ever. Certainly, given the dry weather of the last seasons. With this variety, we respond well to this need," says company representative, Kees Jacobs.
"The Promotion is a further development of our Motion variety. It has a stronger root system. It, therefore, also produces a higher yield. You can plant this variety in difficult soil types. Types where our other varieties would otherwise not grow easily," says Kees.
"Moreover, the Promotion starts developing quickly. Fewer chemicals are, therefore, needed. This could be overcome with the use of pesticides and seed coatings. But it is an advantage that this variety has in itself."
This variety is an extra-long day onion of the Rijnsburger type. It is suited to cultivation in Northwestern Europe. "We tested this variety at 26 locations last year. At 16 of these, it gave the very highest yields. This was compared to both our existing varieties and the competition. Growers are very satisfied. Many of them have already ordered seeds," explains Kees.
"This variety is bred explicitly for quality and storage. This was also the case with the Motion. The Motion's same skin resistance and sprout resting period characterize the Promotion. The Motion's yields, however, were sometimes lagging. It is here that the Promotion stands out."
"On the other hand, this variety does surrender a little on its firmness. This factor is the reason we advise people not to store this variety past April. Whereas it is possible to store the Motion until May, or even June, with no problems," continues Jacobs.
The onion processors are also enthusiastic about this variety. "We have contacted many exporters and sorters. They insist on good skin resistance, in particular. When a container arrives in Indonesia or the Philippines, the onions must still have its skin. That is where this variety does well," concludes Kees.
For more information:
Kees Jacobs
Syngenta
Mob: +31 (0) 657 312 075
kees.jacobs@syngenta.com
www.syngenta.com