At KesgrO, Axiradius can be found in the greenhouse again this coming season. "This year, we have learned a lot about this variety. For the middle segment, we think that Axiradius is a real improvement in terms of quality," states head grower Erik van Nieuwkoop.
Last year, tomato grower KesgrO was the first business that decided to work with Axiradius. After a few trials, the business decided to fill their whole area, 37 hectares, with this variety. The choice for the variety was primarily because it is strong against yellow crowns. This has not disappointed, says Van Nieuwkoop. "In comparison with the previous years, we have seen an improvement. It has also easily come through the warmer periods."
Production records
Also in the area of production, they are satisfied - although that has actually cost the grower money. In breaking production records, the staff get a reward and the ice-cream van has had to visit several times this season. And Van Nieuwkoop expects that this will happen again next year. "The first year is never the best in relation to production. It takes a while for the variety to settle in." Axiradius is a very strong growing crop. "That needs to be converted into production. We could hit it harder than we were used to," he says. "You never know how far you can go, especially when growing under lights. We thought that we had already gone very far, but the crop remained surprisingly good and healthy through the winter - then you dare to do more."
Growing power
Because Axiradius has such strong growth, the advice from Axia Vegetable Seeds is to keep the plant in balance with a good plant burden. Next season, there will be a vine treatment given from the start and during the winter. There will also be controls with plant density. "In the standard lit cultivation of middle vine, there is normally a plant density of some 4 heads per m² grown," says Michel de Winter of Axia Vegetable Seeds. "With Axiradius, thanks to the growing power, you don't need to go to an extremely narrow plant gap. You can put them in at 3.3 heads per m. To get the right amount of fruit per m2 per week, they are pruned at 7. In the most strongly growing periods, they are even pruned at 8 to 10 vines on 8." With this production and the plant density, the labor pattern can be kept low - despite the fact that the supporting of vines definitely costs labor. "On the bottom line is the return on the labor even better."
For more information:
Axia Vegetable Seeds
Monnikenlaan 6 a
2671NE in Naaldwijk
Nederland
T: +31 15 257 6020+31 15 257 6020
Email: info@axiaseeds.com
www.axiaseeds.com
KesgrO
Wagenpad 11
1775 RJ Middenmeer
T: +31(0)227-6067700031(0)227-606770
www.kesgro.nl
sales via Harvest House