Murcia producers Castilla-La Mancha in Almería and Ebro in Valencia, have had the opportunity to experience first-hand the melon supply from Syngenta. On the conference, Syngenta sales engineers and distributors provided visitors with valuable information on cultivating the fruit. The day included a visit to the testing fields in La Palma, and a series of technical and practical sessions.
Syngenta is researching ways to improve cultivation, as well as resistance against diseases like mildew. Joseph Morella, Portfolio Manager at Syngenta, points out the high quality of Murcia melons, like the Jimenado, the Hackberry and the Finch. The Jimenado is a rustic and energetic plant, easy to ripen and resilient when it comes to mildew and the Fusarium fungus.
The success of finding means against mildew, obviously high in demand amongst producers, was emphasised. Species like the Velasco and the Mendoza have also shown themselves able to stand up against the Fusarium fungus. As it turns out, the Velasco lends itself to proper cultivation in Castilla-La Mancha and the Murcia region. The Almeza, the Finch, the Hilary, and the Iberian Sancho also perform well in these areas.
Francisco Morales, another Portfolio Manager at Syngenta, lectured on field testing and innovations. He also introduced a type of watermelon called "Icebox", an interesting brand, promising high quality and profitable returns for potential growers.
Also of note is the TRIX Paula, a plant known for its strength, its number of fruits per plant and its sweet taste. The melon, with small edible seeds, performs remarkably well in Germany and Northern- Europe.
Marketing and quality control
Marketing and quality control were also on the agenda in Los Alcázares. A field lab was erected for the occasion, and head of Syngenta’s Quality Control Pablo Garcia showed visitors the importance of study and meeting consumer demands. In the field lab, Garcia demonstrated how parameters like taste, colour, texture, smell and presentation are measured and analysed. Some of these measurements, as it turns out, can be performed by growers with portable gadgets. Advancements in infrared technology, furthermore, are promising as they do not damage the fruit.
Luis Martin, responsible for ICS Vegetables Crop at Iberia, and Francisco Jose Rodriguez, heading the Syngenta Vegetables Crop, ended the day with an appeal for the importance of international innovations in a globalising market.
more information: www.syngenta.es