Who said that eating melon and watermelon was boring? While the market of these two fruits is a mature one, that does not mean that there aren't any new opportunities. To shed light on all - or at least many - of them, BASF opened the doors of its research center at Finca Lo Ruiz (La Palma, Murcia), in a new edition of its Melon & Watermelon Business Event For Experts (BEFE), which took place from 4 to 8 July. 
Under the attentive eye of growers, marketers and distributors from the main production areas worldwide, its vegetable seed business, which operates under the Nunhems brand, has showcased its watermelon portfolio and has given another twist to melon cultivation, thanks to the introduction of new concepts and innovative solutions.
According to Pere Montón, Senior Account Manager for watermelons, "we want to continue being pioneers in the introduction of new concepts and solutions", as was already achieved with Fashion F1, Premium F1, Style F1 or Bazman F1 and Harmonium F1, bearers of the dual suitability concept. All this is done to "help our customers develop new, successful and profitable watermelon projects."
This year, BASF presented new products in the micro-seed, midi caliber and fresh cut segments. In the first of these segments, the novelty is the Kalimba F1*, with which it is completing its micro-seed range, which already includes products such as the Kalanda F1, and market leader Premium F1. With Kalimba F1, "we are closing the season with a line of watermelons with very good pollinator aptitude, high internal quality and the same skin color."
As for the midi size, three new products have been introduced: MJS MIDI 901 F1°, CSS MIDI 812 F1° and Bolita F1*, which offer a crunchier flesh, a better post-harvest performance and "a surprising internal quality."
Lastly, in the fresh cut segment, they presented Elite Slice F1, a watermelon with which BASF confirms its commitment to providing minimally processed products to consumers, making sure that the quality and taste are the same as those offered to consumers in the fresh market.
Completing the melon range
BASF has presented new solutions and concepts in different types, addressing three clear lines of work: innovation, fresh cut and, lastly, new types and flavors.
In terms of innovation, and without losing sight of its leadership in the magenta-fleshed cantaloupe melon segment, BASF continues to expand its Magenta range with varieties such as the Magverik F1, suitable for greenhouses in Almeria and the medium cycle of the open ground in Murcia, with resistance to powdery mildew and aphids. Moreover, it is taking another step forward in the search for excellence in terms of flavor with the launch of a new range of varieties with a clear cut indicator. "Their skin turns a different color and microcracking appears around the stalk when they reach optimum maturity," says Antonio Izquierdo, head of melon development in Europe at BASF.
There are three new products in this new range: CA 119 F1° and Pearl 788 F1°, with orange flesh and a change in skin color to cream when ripe; and CA 200 F1°, with intense magenta flesh, resistance to powdery mildew (3.5) and aphids. "With CA 200 F1° we are improving our Magenta range with a new variety for the late cycle which ensures a very uniform presentation, both in terms of size and shape," says Izquierdo.
As for Charentais melon, BASF has managed to expand its range and cover the entire production cycle with the introduction of the early cycle Saramir F1, which offers a great organoleptic quality, resistance to powdery mildew and good performance against aphids; and with NUN 14160 F1*, intended for late transplants, with a smaller size and good post-harvest shelf life; a quality difficult to achieve with high temperatures.
Lasty, in Piel de Sapo, they introduced the PDS 320 F1°, which together with the Quintero F1 and Rockero F1 -both for the medium cycle- completes the La Mancha cycle with earlier and later transplants. "This variety offers great uniformity in terms of format and caliber in different production areas," says Izquierdo, who highlights its "stability in different climatic conditions and good flavor.
As regards new types and flavors, the Mayan 510 F1 is BASF's latest novelty, a new Dino type with crunchy flesh and a high Brix (between 15 and 16º). This type of melon, with white flesh and cream-colored skin with green spots, "is being grown mainly in America, although it is gradually starting to be introduced in Europe, as well.
Dino type melon Mayan 510 F1
BASF has also shown its Tiare line, very aromatic and of "exceptional flavor, with up to 20 degrees Brix," for the Italian market; or its Mango Melon line for the Middle East.
Lastly, under the fresh cut concept, they selected a number of varieties of different types that, due to their firm flesh and post-harvest shelf life, are suitable for minimum processing. These include the Magestium F1 (Magenta line) and the CA 119 F1°, an orange-fleshed Charentais, their new Dino and Golden type melons, both white-fleshed; as well as the Rockero F1. All of them "have a good flavor and firmness that allows their use for both fresh and processed marketing."
Part of the BASF team of melon breeders
BASF is once again showing its commitment to innovation; to being able to offer new solutions that contribute to revitalizing the melon and watermelon market by adapting to new trends. If there is one thing they know for sure, it is that they make "healthy eating fun and sustainable."
Elvira Vitores Mas
Nunhems Spain SAU
Avenida El Treinta, 178, 04710,
Sta Mª del Águila – El Ejido. Spain
T:+34 950 497 776
elvira.vitores@vegetableseeds.basf.com
www.nunhems.es