Demo field days at Rijk Zwaan well attended

The last few weeks Rijk Zwaan organised their first Demodays of the year again in Fijnaart. Various grower, plant breeder, buyers and other people from for instance the processing sector visited the demo field in West-Brabant. Rijk Zwaan had a large scale demo on display with a large diversity of crops, varieties and types. Together with Arno van Oers I walked through the field, during which the demo field coordinator presented a few striking developments and novelties.

Demo field coordinator Arno van Oers is satisfied about the way the early demo weeks have gone so far. "It gives us a good feeling to talk to all our customers again and to walk through the field with them. Investing in a personal bond with the customer is of course just as important as investing in new species and varieties. This is why I take time for them. Their feedback is very important. That's our base for continuing to develop."

Salanova® Multileaf on Dry-Hydroponics

For a year now, the Demofield in Fijnaart has also had a special demo arrangement for growing lettuce on water. In a basin different varieties are grown on Dry-Hydroponics. Varieties are also grown on water gutters. Van Oers explains that specific varieties aren't needed for lettuce cultivation on water, but that Salanova Multileaf is good for this type of cultivation.

Salatrio

Salatrio also does well in the gutter. "Perfect and nice product. Ideal fresh for the consumer with the knob under it. Cut it once and you have a nice pallet with colour and taste on your plate"

The 45-114 RZ is a new iceberg lettuce which is well received. "Ideal for the cutting industry. Large size, around 800 grammes, nicely layered with a short (pit). But also very suitable for the trade and fresh market," according to Van Oers.

The Salanova Butterlettuce with around 100-150 leaves

79-02 Duplex RZ

The 79-02 RZ, Duplex RZ ( Salanova Crisp Frisee) has been processed to 'ready to eat blocks' with a simple cutting motion. Colour is also very important. This is why there is also a darker variety of the Duplex available: the Triplex RZ.

On the field a clear development of colour is visible. Van Oers: "The more south you go, the lighter they want the lettuce. More towards the north the consumers prefer darker colours."

Tourima RZ

Rijk Zwaan has a good name when it comes to lettuce varieties. But the growers and buyers of cabbage also find their way to Rijk Zwaan for their varieties. "Tourima RZ Chinese cabbage is one of our best. Smooth growth, firm and heavy without bursts," says Van Oers. "It's been out for two weeks now, not the perfect conditions. But it's doing extremely well."

Although we don't see it in the fruit and vegetable rack very often yet, Romanesco Puntoverde RZ, is as good as available all year round.

Stabilis RZ

Stabilis RZ cauliflower also looks great. Van Oers is happy with the colour or the cauliflower. "We always strive for the perfect colour. It shouldn't be too white or too yellow. Creamy white is perfect."

Daan Heidema, representative of Rijk Zwaan Noord-Nederland, with Arno van Oers.

For more information:
Rijk Zwaan
Arno van Oers
06-53305058
www.rijkzwaan.nl