Malaga is the second largest medlar producer in Andalusia, only behind Granada. However, the crop is losing ground in favour of other subtropical fruits, like mangoes and avocados. As has been the case with other crops, producers have almost exclusively opted for a single variety: the Golden Nugget. This results in all farms harvesting at the same time, which causes the supply to concentrate in a very specific time of the year, pushing prices down. Depending on the weather conditions, the campaign usually kicks off between late April and early May.
With the goal of extending the harvesting season with earlier and later varieties, the Horticultural and Mediterranean Horticulture Institute (IHSM) La Mayora, made up of the Higher Council of Scientific Research (CSIC) and the University of Malaga (UMA), is carrying out a test whose purpose is to extend the harvesting season with varieties capable of producing earlier and later fruit.
The test is taking place in the facilities of the Experimental Station La Mayora in Algarrobo. The study, led by research professor and Head of the Department of Subtropical Fruit Production Iñaki Hormaza, consists in the planting of 15 medlar varieties from different origins, which are now in their second year, so it is still too early to have good data evaluation. Nevertheless, it has already been shown that there are varieties capable of producing fruit even in February.
It is not the first time that Hornaza has warned of the risks involved in relying on a single variety, when there is the possibility of supplying different varieties throughout the year, as is the case for avocados.
The Golden Nugget is a large, round medlar variety with large seeds. The skin and flesh are an intense orange. It is easy to peel and its flavour is also intense.
Source: diariosur.es
