Italy: Banzai apricots taste good but are not easy to grow

Years after the creation, registration and introduction of new two-coloured apricot varieties from France, thanks to Vivaio Escande's breeding and research programmes, agronomists feel the time has come make a few considerations as regards the Banzai variety.

Agronomist Maurizio Simone explains that "the variety was introduced in Italy in 2012 and, over the years, it has became one of the most interesting for the European market, as it is considered one of the tastier for fresh consumption."

"Its flavour, crunchiness and sweetness (16-18° Brix) raised the interest of consumers, buyers and producers."

"Nonetheless, in some areas and during particular seasons, this self-fertile variety showed setting and cracking problems. Strong plant vigour combined with low setting leads to cracking in humid/rainy seasons."

"Actually, creator Benoit Escande does say this variety is technically complicated as it requires limited nitrogen nutrition carried out only in certain periods as well as an unusual agronomic management."

"He also reports that, despite the difficulties in making them productive, trees performed excellently in North Africa and Europe. Requests to plant the variety in some regions clashes with the technical difficulties faced in certain areas. This implies that the variety does not adapt well to the different soil and climate conditions in the Mediterranean, which is particularly true with some types of management."

"The choice to keep producing it derives from the results achieved by those companies and areas where it grows well. Escande is available to provide technical support to increase productivity and make management easier. In addition, with the arrival of new varieties part of the Escande range, it can be used to restore productiveness for those producers that have paid royalties and choose cultivars that are much more adaptable to various areas and perfectly compatible with Banzai."

"The skill of producers combined with the experience of Escande technicians led to the development of technical-productive protocols that can be adapted to different situations including pollination, cracking and growing."

"Escande therefore invites producers to consider the difficulties in Banzai management and is available to supply healthy material to those interested in other varieties."

"Transplants with the new very early Sushi variety, for example, significantly increased the number of fruits per plant even in problematic years."

"What is more, Escande is ready to introduce new highly-productive self-fertile varieties on the market, both two-coloured or red."

"Please contact the nursery garden or us to take part in open days in the spring and to learn more about what's coming."

For further information:

Maurizio Simone, agronomist
DOCTOR FARMER srl
Cell.: +39 333 5929981
Email: maurizio.simone@doctorfarmer.it