ToBRFV-resistant varieties were top of mind for many breeders in 2022, but plenty of other interesting new varieties are being bred.
Plenty of variety trials in Mexico and Canada: larger and more resistant varieties are the 'new standard'
Anyone who has ever visited a large North American supermarket is familiar with the large bags containing snack peppers in all colors. Iwan van Vliet, co-owner of Westland Seeds, is well aware of these as well. During his last visit to Canada, Iwan came across these bags too. The Dutch breeding company uses varieties to respond to market demand actively. He also recently visited Mexico. There too, they know how to handle larger packaging but also ever larger acreages.
ToBRFV resistance
At Totam Seeds, 2023 is already here. In fact, the Mitsui Group seed company is presenting its new varietal assortment, precisely tailored to the latest market trends. Specific attention has been focused on the development of cultivars resistant to the Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV). Specifically, there are three new ToBRFV IR-resistant varieties.
Pepper party
New year, new peppers. This seems to have gone through the mind of the people at Syngenta. The breeder is launching at least three new varieties in the colors green, yellow, and orange. Peter Colbers explains what makes these pepper varieties so unique. "We have two new green and yellow varieties on the market this year. Greenhouses are already full of them."
Red oldy
Limvalnera is a strawberry variety that has been under evaluation for about two years in the whole of Southern Italy. This cultivar, in the Basilicata region alone, can count about 14 hectares cultivated this year, including fresh plants and rooted buds, compared to just over 20 thousand plants that were planted in the previous season.
No name yet
The new variety, 605271 of the "Gedera-Syngenta Seeds" company, which doesn't even have a name yet, has been selected as the finest tomato in Israel. Chef Eyal Shani, known as Mr. Tomato, headed a special judging team that selected the winning tomato in Israel.
Colorful demo
Rijk Zwaan's Hydroponics Leaf and Outdoor demos were on the agenda again in June, showcasing the vegetable breeding company's new, colorful and high-tech vegetable varieties. During the Hydroponics Leaf Demo, Rijk Zwaan's living lettuce concepts, Salatrio® and Salanova®, were put in the spotlight.
Data-driven cucumbers
On 16 November 2021, the first high-wire cucumber crop was planted in the data-driven greenhouse of BASF's vegetable seed business in's Gravenzande. The greenhouse was equipped with about 340 umol LED lights from Signify. The second and third crops were planted on 2 March 2022 and 15 June 2022, respectively.
New approach to raspberry breeding in Italy
On Tuesday, 7 June 2022, Italy's G-Berries presented its new approach to breeding in Cesena with the Gil Program. The breeding company wants to go beyond the concept "I select and you buy" by creating a network that brings together needs, research, and knowledge on an international scale.
New breeding greenhouse
Enza Zaden and Bosman Van Zaal recently signed an agreement for the development of a greenhouse and installations for the production of seeds in Arusha, Tanzania. The project covers two hectares, and Bosman Van Zaal is carrying out this in collaboration with Enza Zaden.