At the Fields of Innovations, the open days at Syngenta, the company presented not only improved varieties in terms of disease resistance and labour, but also a number of distinctive new vegetables: bright white sweetcorn Glacial, the bright orange Tangeline, and a broccoli variety with a so-called 'clean stem'. Some 400 different varieties were on display in the trial fields, including more than 120 new introductions. The breeder looks back on a well-attended event, where growers and experts from 62 countries came together to view and discuss new developments in the vegetable seed sector.
Innovations in cabbage varieties
Niels Botman, technical sales adviser for brassicas, showed several innovations that are about to hit the market or have already been introduced.
© Marjet Lubbers-Bruijnse | FreshPlaza.com
Sunman is a vigorous broccoli variety that requires 25% less nitrogen. This variety is particularly suitable for spring and summer cultivation thanks to its excellent heat tolerance. The heads are of good quality and shape, and their improved mildew resistance prevents blackening of the veins after harvest.
© Marjet Lubbers-Bruijnse | FreshPlaza.com
A striking new variety of broccoli grows tall and has fewer leaves under the screen, which ensures a 'clean stem'. The variety has been developed to make harvesting and processing broccoli easier, but the lack of leaf attachments on the stem also makes it extra attractive on the fresh produce shelf. "This is still a prototype growing into a harvestable broccoli of about 300 grams, but I expect varieties to grow to a harvest weight of 500 grams," Niels explains.
© Marjet Lubbers-Bruijnse | FreshPlaza.com
Niels also showed a broccoli variety with a thick stem. The screen has a firm bulb shape and uniform buds and is suitable for both cutting and the fresh market. Multiple resistances are built in against both powdery mildew and tuber blight.
© Marjet Lubbers-Bruijnse | FreshPlaza.com
Daritte can extend the season of Romanesco, which is particularly popular in Italy. The variety is suitable for summer and autumn cultivation.
© Marjet Lubbers-Bruijnse | FreshPlaza.com
Tangeline is a new orange cauliflower variety with a more intense orange colour than other varieties, suitable for the whole season.
© Marjet Lubbers-Bruijnse | FreshPlaza.com
Lucius is a new sprouts variety with a good yield. The plant produces equal-sized sprouts, making it extremely suitable for harvesting at Christmas time.
Glacias
As a cabbage specialist, Niels made a special trip to show a promising innovation in maize.
© Marjet Lubbers-Bruijnse | FreshPlaza.com
Here, Niels shows a Glacis variety, a well-filled corn cob, bright white in colour and very sweet in flavour. "It's a very distinctive product. You can eat this corn raw. Everyone who tastes this is raving about it," says Niels.
© Marjet Lubbers-Bruijnse | FreshPlaza.com
Disease resistance and labour key themes
An important part of the presentation was the focus on disease resistance. New cabbage and cauliflower varieties with extra protection against multiple tuber foot physios attracted attention.
© Marjet Lubbers-Bruijnse | FreshPlaza.com
A kale variety with "extremely good resistance package" incorporated
New lettuce and spinach varieties resistant to the latest forms of downy mildew were also shown, including a recently troublesome strain in lettuce. Resistance has also been successfully built into onions, with the onion variety Prediction showing improved resistance to downy mildew.
© Marjet Lubbers-Bruijnse | FreshPlaza.com
Besides disease resistance, much attention was paid to varieties that reduce labour in the fields. New cauliflower and cabbage varieties have been developed that grow more evenly and are therefore easier to harvest. This can help growers make better use of labour and achieve consistent yields.
For more information:
Niels Botman
Syngenta Seeds
[email protected]
www.syngenta.com
