Last year, Rijk Zwaan introduced new hybrid leek varieties as the first step towards a complete portfolio for leek growers worldwide. The company also highlights an Indonesian grower, Sweet Greens, who is using Rijk Zwaan seeds to to reach their ultimate goal of supplying to Asian and Middle Eastern markets.
Martijn Hendrickx of VOF Hendrickx in Ossendrecht NL
Leek varieties
Dutch grower Martijn Hendrickx has had good experience with Floccus RZ: “The variety proved its worth in spring and I plan to use it again next year.” As expressed in Rijk Zwaan’s theme for Fruit Logistica in Berlin, new varieties like this one are helping Martijn to move ‘freshly forward’.
More certainty at harvest time
The grower is positive about Floccus RZ, the new early variety that he trialled. “It definitely proved its worth, because it had less stress than my other variety and didn’t bolt. Its growth rate was a little slower, but that allowed me to harvest both varieties one after the other. That flexibility creates more certainty at harvest time. I will grow Floccus RZ again next spring, and on a larger area this time. I never make a complete switch in one go, because every year is different.” Martijn also trialled Volutus RZ in the autumn and was impressed by its good uniformity.
Building a complete portfolio
Floccus RZ, Volutus RZ and two other newcomers – Nebulus RZ and Radiatus RZ – are the first four varieties in Rijk Zwaan’s range of hybrid leek varieties, which the company is steadily building into a complete portfolio for all cultivation regions and segments. For the next generation of leek varieties, the breeding team is focusing on even better crop reliability, labour performance and resistances. Rijk Zwaan will continue to work with growers to fine-tune the varieties in line with their needs.
Indonesian grown sweet melons
We grow the sweetest, softest and juiciest melons for affordable market prices. Thanks to our optimal greenhouse, we can achieve the genetic potential of Rijk Zwaan’s seeds,” states Suhadi Zaini, CEO of the company. He is eager to move ‘freshly forward’, as expressed in Rijk Zwaan’s theme for Fruit Logistica in Berlin.
Janto Soetanto (l), Suhadi Zaini (m) and Bambang Panutomo (r) are well on the way to fulfilling their international dreams.
Suhadi: “We were driven by the belief that we could achieve the genetic potential of Rijk Zwaan’s seeds with an optimally running high-tech greenhouse – and we succeeded. Together with our disciplined and dedicated workforce, we created an extremely clean environment and a well-organised operation. We have managed to grow premium melons that are the sweetest in the market.”
Join Rijk Zwaan in moving ‘Freshly Forward, from Foundation to Future’ at Fruit Logistica 2024 (Hall 1.2, D-13). They will be presenting solutions as well as inspiring innovations . The Rijk Zwaan Retail Center in Berlin can be visited too.
For more information:
Rijk Zwaan
Email: info@rijkzwaan.com
www.rijkzwaan.com