How do you achieve an optimal production with Cabole?

Sjon De Groot is growing 52,000 m2 of yellow peppers of the Cabole breed. He tells about his experiences:

"Last year it was clear that that breed would not be reset. In the first place I was looking for a breed that could make more growth throughout the season. It was clear that the market demand was going towards higher fruit weight. In both cases Cabole stood out positively. "

"We started growing by controlling speed, so we had to go back in temperature somewhat to get the first fruits on. Then we saw that the crop regularly began generating a regular load, which we now also see in production. The crop growth is exactly what I was looking for. So I have plenty of crop and leaf cover for the summer. The quality of the fruit is fine."

"Certainly with respect to growth. Production and fruit weight still have to prove themselves, these are advantages of the breed that only emerge from summer to autumn."

"I will probably dare to grow even faster. The breed easily tolerates a higher night temperature during the period from February to April. And the breed has a high fruit weight already, so there doesn’t have to be a problem there."

"That growth will continue and that the fruit weight is maintained: 180-200 grams."

Syngenta provides current cultivation information and tips for Cabole:

In the last period we had to deal with inconstant irradiation, but always above the multi-annual average per week. This has led to a very regular structure of the plant load. Every week we counted 5-6 new fruit per m2. Because of the regular fruit makeup, the fruit weight remains constant. Because of steering speed (flat temperature between day and night and no low full days) the fruit is harvest ripe in 7 weeks. Cabole has the property to make the fruits heavy of itself, so there is no need to steer in that regard. With a night temperature of 18-19 degrees the fruits get enough weight and easily maintain growth. So the second and third setting also grew easily.

Production started from week 11 with fruits between 200-240 grams. We see that the production of Cabole is in line with that of other similar breeds. The fruits are of high quality, nicely blocked with a good length and width ratio.

Also notable is that the breed hardly shows any burns after the high radiation of the past period. The plant load is currently between 35-40 fruits/m2.

Continue to ensure that evaporation occurs by keeping vents open, to stimulate the crop through the climate to remain well trained.

Cabole maintains leaf volume well. However, this will depend on cultivation method and type of greenhouse. Leaf always becomes smaller in volume due to the high radiation towards the summer.

The available active leaf volume cools the greenhouse and has to keep sufficient volume in the summer. An option to generate more leaf is to prune the shoot less deeply. Stick to this as of May. Keep some extra leaf where necessary with crop work.

Work the crop to not have the flowers too high in the head and keep sufficient growth; as an additional measure you can hold to a pre-night to maintain the flower sufficiently deep in summer.

Please note that if the daily temperature rises above 24°C, there is little adjusting to be done. The volume and activity of the crop should provide cooling, with an optimal fruit load. You should avoid too high a load to maintain growth balance. This should mainly be done in preparation for the summer, so you should ensure an optimal setting in June. In June you can still steer by day to prepare the crop and ensure an optimal flowering height.

This can have a negative impact on the weight of the fruit and leaf volume. Strive for a plant load of between 35 and 40 fruits per m2. This keeps the fruit weight and leaf above 180 grams. Cabole now gets to its best period to maintain coarseness.

In the summer we mostly see shrinkage cracks and end shakes, burn marks or tip rot. Here, too, Cabole has high resistance.

Shrinkage cracks and end shakes are rare. Quick setting can be linked to a short outgrowth. The first setting ensures regularity in the plant throughout the season. Make sure that the first wave setting is not too heavy and is taken off quickly (in coarse types like Cabole). This creates regularity of setting and plant load during the season.

Tip rot is caused by too extreme climate transitions in combination with a weaker root. This weak root mainly occurs when we have not secured root formation in the spring.

Burn marks occur when the setting is too high in the head and there is weak growth in combination with strong irradiation; on the days when it is necessary the plant can be given assistance through screens and humidity control in order to compensate for the transitions.

Inside rot, fruit fusarium is also a risk that Cabole scored highly in, in previous years. In particular, a not too heavy crop, additional hygiene with respect to leaf fungi on fallen stems and leaves help to prevent this phenomenon.

3 lobes may occur during overload. This can be more sensitive with fading light from 15 August to September, avoid overloading the fruit in this period.

Strive for a constant EC. Don’t drain too much when it’s dark (dark weather to 20%, sunny weather 30%). This equates to a sunny day 2.5 cc per joule. In summer, with dark warm weather more water should be given because the plant evaporates based on temperature rather than radiation! Pay attention to drainage and the increase of the EC.

 

Cabole only now gets to the period in which the quality and coarseness distinction can be maintained in comparison to other breeds. The coarseness can positively affect the pricing per meter in particular. The better pricing for coarse is because most breeds become too fine in a too hot climate and there is a shortage in the market for constant coarse fruits. This period will arrive soon and it will clearly be in the summer. The distinction can be seen in July and August.

For more information: