Viveros California is launching two new raspberry varieties, which will be marketed under an open model and are the result of the work of its R&D department and the significant investments made by the company in recent years in its genetic improvement programs.
"We are talking about the primocane varieties Alegría (Vica R3) and Abril (Vica R4), which stand out for the extraordinary elasticity of their productive cycles, their strong remontant character, and the very low amount of cold hours needed, as well as the extraordinary quality of their fruit," said Araceli Vidacal, from Viveros California, part of the Medina Group.
Alegría (Vica R3).
"Both the Alegria (Vica R3) and the Abril (Vica R4) have a very short vegetative cycle, with a first-rate production of around one kilo per plant, regardless of planting and pruning dates," he says. "After pruning, a second production will be obtained, comparable to the first one in terms of quality and quantity."
According to the entity's international sales manager, this is a very important aspect to consider when planning the production, depending on the producer's desired marketing window, since it guarantees to be able to offer a high-quality product throughout the entire year.
"The fruit quality is extraordinary for both the Alegría (Vica R3) and the Abril (Vica R4), with a medium-large size drupe (average weight: 8 grams), a very attractive bright red color, ease for picking when optimally ripe and, most importantly, a really excellent flavor, with an average of 9.5 degrees Brix throughout the campaign. The shelf life of both varieties is extraordinary, as confirmed in multiple trials carried out by the R&D department of Viveros California," says Araceli Vidacal.
In terms of production, with a recommended density of 12,000 plants per hectare, which is 4 plants per linear meter, the yields amount to or exceed 24 tons/hectare. In other words, 2 kilos of first-class fruit per plant.
Both the Alegría (VicaR3) and the Abril (Vica R4) allow late plantings from mid-August, which makes it possible to obtain a single harvest to cover the entire winter window. "For those producers who so wish, there is also the possibility of a second-year production, after carrying out what is known as mow down; that is, the cutting of the mother cane at the end of the complete productive cycle and the cultivation of some duly selected basal shoots," he said.
"We are entering the dynamic and very competitive market of remontant raspberry varieties with two strong contenders: the Alegria (Vica R3) and the Abril (Vica R4). These offer great productive potential and plenty of flexibility in terms of planting and harvesting, allowing the producer to maximize their profits in multiple marketing windows with the highest quality fruit, suitable for the most demanding markets, both in Europe and anywhere else in the world," said the sales manager of Viveros California.
For more information:
Araceli Vidacal
VIVEROS CALIFORNIA, S.L.
Paseo de las Delicias, 5
41001 Seville, Spain
Mob.: +34 687 38 08 40
Tel.: +34 954 213 502
[email protected]
viveroscalifornia.com