Quality is worth the time. That is the motto of Bayer Vegetable Seeds. Bayer chooses not to introduce dozens of new varieties but six breeds that meet the high Bayer standards in every possible way: a cocktail truss tomato, two cherry tomato varieties, a yellow bell pepper, a spring cucumber, and a mini cucumber.
Chero*, the joy of pepper
One of the most remarkable newcomers is Chero*: a new yellow bell pepper that Bayer Vegetable Seeds is bringing to the market after five years of research and development. Jonas De Win from market development says, "This striking, summer-yellow bell pepper has reliable resistance to both TM:3 and TSWV:0, and it also has a strong root system. This allows us to provide growers with more certainty for a successful crop. For example, this variety can handle a hot summer very well. Moreover, Chero* has excellent yield, long shelf life, and a delicious taste thanks to its high Brix value." The fact that Chero* has been completely sold out in its introductory year shows how well it has been received. "Chero* is the first introduction from a promising new pipeline. In the coming years, we expect interesting introductions in the red and orange segments."
Newcomers in the cucumber department
Looking at cucumber varieties, Bayer Vegetable Seeds introduces two flavorful newcomers: the traditional spring cucumber Paxtor* and the mini cucumber Splash. Jonas says, "Paxtor* offers high yield potential and has early maturity. This is due to balanced growth under various conditions. The fruits are beautiful and uniform, making them ideal for automated packaging. Additionally, Paxtor* has good mildew resistance in the spring." Alongside Paxtor*, there is the mini cucumber Splash, named after the sound you hear when you break it. "We also call Splash the lunchbox cucumber. Its size of 10 to 15 centimeters makes it the perfect snack. Other features include good resistance to mildew and cucumber green mottle mosaic virus, strong endurance, beautiful fruit color, and good shelf life. We have high expectations for Splash."
Three additional tomato varieties
In addition to the Strabini, Ferreira, and Novero varieties, Bayer Vegetable Seeds is now introducing the cocktail truss tomato Caramelino* and the cherry tomato varieties Queenita* and Fondita*. Jari Boerboom from market development says, "Caramelino* excels in resistance level and is the first cherry tomato variant with ToBRFV resistance. The truss is full, and the tomato weight ranges between 36 and 38 grams. With a Brix of 6 to 7.5, the taste is excellent. The fruits are firm and have a long shelf life, making them very suitable for export; transportation and storage are not a problem." The cherry tomato varieties Queenita* and Fondita* also have various advantages. Product specialist Leonie Hogendonk says, "Both varieties are resistant to fungal diseases. Fondita* has a high Brix and is nicely round. Queenita* stands out with its green parts, creating an appealing shelf image. Both varieties have a high yield potential." For next year, six new tomato introductions are planned, all with ToBRFV resistance and each in a different segment. "At Bayer Vegetable Seeds, we are working on a sustainable solution for ToBRFV resistance without compromising our agronomic performance. Sustainability also means more gene protection for the future. This takes time. At the same time, we are trying to accelerate as much as possible, shortening our introduction period by years," says Huib Koerts, segment lead EMEA APAC De Ruiter at Bayer Vegetable Seeds.
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