ASOEX's Fruit Technology Consortium unveiled the first table grape variety developed by this entity, which, in turn, is the first red table grape variety developed in Chile.
“After more than 15 years of joint work with ASOEX, 27 companies from the export sector, Corfo, and the technical support of the Catholic University, we are very proud to present this first red table grape variety for Chile, which we are in the process of registering with the SAG," stated Sergio Maureira, the general manager of the Fruit Technology Consortium.
“The Chilean table grape industry is currently undergoing a reconversion process and this new variety arrives at the right time to support this process since it is being developed for Chilean producers and exporters. We are the main table grape exporting country in the southern hemisphere, the main supplier of table grapes on a global level, the main supplier of countries such as China, and now we are in the process of becoming a benchmark in the development of fruit genetics and supplying ourselves with our own varieties,” added Maureira.
The Table Grape Genetic Improvement Program (PMG) has been running since 2007. This is the first variety developed by the consortium to date. The consortium has an advanced selection of black table grapes that could soon become their second variety developed. To date, the program has 31 advanced selections of table grapes, 10 of which are very promising.
The new variety
Patricio Arce, director of the Table Grape Genetic Improvement Program (PMG) of the Asoex Fruit Technology Consortium, researcher and academic at the Catholic University of Chile, highlighted: “This new variety is a seedless table grape with a very well-defined color. It is a very crunchy variety; eating it is like eating an apple. It also has a long post-harvest life and great productivity.”
“This is a mid-season and early variety. Currently, most of the red varieties are for the late part of the season. This variety will allow producers to have red grapes from February, and in some areas from January, which makes it very attractive. In addition, it has a very green and thick stalk, which contributes to the quality and condition of the fruit. The new plants yield 19 to 21 mm fruits, so we believe that later it'll yield higher calibers, from 20 mm upwards. This fruit tolerates rain very well, in terms of resistance to fungi," stated Rodrigo Sapiain, advisor to the PMG.
For more information:
ASOEX
www.asoex.cl
