Blooming control
De Groot en Slot is a family company which has been active in breeding onions for over a hundred years. The company now has control over around 200 varieties, so that growers all over the world can choose varieties that fit their cultivation areas, the needs of the markets and consumer tastes.
Different day lengths
The breeding company from Noord Holland views the world as a place of work. This means that breeding activities aren't limited to labs and greenhouses in Noord Holland. "A variety which is suitable for the Netherlands will not give sufficient yield in countries around the equator," says director Jeroen de Haas. "In the growing season the length of a day in the Netherlands is 16 to 18 hours; in the tropics it's only 12."
For this reason, De Groot en Slot have testing fields in North, Central and South America, various countries in North, Central and South Europe, the south of Africa, India and China. At these locations breeders judge how test crosses behave in areas with various day lengths.
Large investments
Developing a new variety is a large investment of time and money, says De Haas. It takes a period of around ten years before a new variety is created, as well as an investment of tonnes of Euros. With this investment De Groot en Slot has, for instance, combined mildew resistant varieties and the Western European pink onion with the good storage qualities of the yellow Rijnsburger onion and brought it on the market. "With these mildew resistant varieties there is less need for preventative spraying," explains the director. "This lessens the use of chemicals and means we are contributing to a more sustainable onion cultivation."
Trading seed
If the work around the test-crosses results in a registered variety the production of trading seed follows. This is done by contract growers in cultivation areas such as the Netherlands, France, Spain and Italy. The seed is then marketed among onion growers all over the world. De Groot en Slot does it themselves in the Benelux countries and southern Africa. Partner Bejo Zaden, also an independent family business in Noord Holland, takes care of marketing and sales in the rest of the world.
Growth market
De Haas says there is still a 'huge growth market' in the offing. He is mainly thinking Asian and African countries around the equator. "This is a large area where there is a shortage of good onion and shallot varieties that fit local markets."
He also believes the development of new resistant varieties offers perspective. "There is a lot of interest among growers for resistant varieties against prevalent diseases such as Fusarium and Pinkroot."
Import regulations
To be able to enter new markets, the breeding company has to meet a lot of regulations. De Haas says that the European Seed Association works to ensure that European breeding companies are able to meet the import regulations. Almost every country has their own regulations. According to De Haas this makes it difficult, but "we are continually working to play into this."
Import regulations
To be able to enter new markets, the breeding company has to meet a lot of regulations. De Haas says that the European Seed Association works to ensure that European breeding companies are able to meet the import regulations. Almost every country has their own regulations. According to De Haas this makes it difficult, but "we are continually working to play into this."
Contribution to food question
De Haas sees the sales opportunities for seeding material for onions positively. "The onion is the second most consumed vegetable in the world. Almost everywhere onions, shallots, garlic or spring onions are eaten. Due to breeding we are able to raise the yield. This produces a better income for the growers, including the smaller growers. Due to the rise in yield there is also more food available. This is necessary, as there are more mouths to feed every day. With our breeding activities we are contributing to the global food question.
Source: Agroberichten Buitenland