After developing a range of ToLCNDV-resistant zucchinis - ND Protected range nominated at SIVAL 2024 - Syngenta is now applying its ND resistance to cucumbers with the latest addition: Siriana (Dutch long type), designed for full-summer production.
"Siriana is the very first cucumber variety to offer robust resistance"
Specially designed for full-summer production, Siriana is the first cucumber variety on the European market to offer resistance to the ToLCNDV virus (Tomato Leaf Curl New Delhi Virus). "While a number of ToLCNDV-resistant cucumber varieties already existed, including one introduced in 2021, these only offered intermediate resistance. Siriana is the very first to offer resistance that is considered to be robust and fully marketed," explains Lilian Pradel, Product Specialist cucumber Syngenta France. Siriana is also resistant to CGMMV (Cucumber Mottle Virus).
"Siriana meets a growing demand for sustainable solutions for both greenhouse and open-field crops"
"First observed on zucchinis, melons, and tomatoes, ToLCNDV has extended its host spectrum in recent years to include other cucurbits such as cucumbers. The crop has been increasingly affected in some regions of Southern Europe, such as Spain, Italy, and France. Syngenta has therefore anticipated this epidemiological evolution by developing the Siriana variety, especially as no curative means of control exist to date. The launch of this new variety meets a growing demand for sustainable solutions for both greenhouse and open field crops.
Characteristics of the variety: 'High productivity, dark green cylindrical fruit, excellent shelf life, remarkable resistance to powdery mildew, vigorous plant that produces axillary shoots easily. Suitable for umbrella or V-shaped cultivation. Its dark green foliage guarantees high productivity right up to the end of the crop.
"The launch of Siriana is aimed at anticipating the threat of ToLCNDV"
First identified in India, ToLCNDV has gradually spread to the Mediterranean basin. Although Spain, Italy, and Morocco are currently the most affected areas, the virus has also been detected in France for the first time in 2020 in Occitania and PACA, then again in 2023 and 2024. "In France, the incidence rate of ToLCNDV is still relatively low, but severe cases have been confirmed from time to time, particularly in the southeast. For the time being, the incidence of ToLCNDV on cucumbers in France remains marginal, but reports are appearing with increasing frequency in southern Europe, suggesting that the virus could spread further in the coming years. The launch of Siriana is therefore aimed at anticipating this threat, by offering a resistant solution to growers before the virus takes a long-term hold on this crop."
ToLCNDV spreads rapidly and can cause considerable damage to crops. It causes rolled and curled leaves, swollen veins, yellow mosaics, stunted plants, and poor fruit set / Photo: ToLCNDV on zucchini leaf
A variety for greenhouse AND field cultivation under cover
While viral pressure is generally greater in the field due to increased exposure to the virus vectors, notably the whitefly (Bemisia tabaci), ToLCNDV can also be identified in crops grown under cover if the fly manages to penetrate them. "Siriana has therefore been designed for greenhouse crops, with excellent plant health and regular production, but it is also suitable for certain open field systems under cover. It is aimed primarily at long cucumber growers operating in the Mediterranean basin, particularly in Spain, Italy, and Greece, as well as in the south of France, where the risk of ToLCNDV is greater."
For more information:
Marie Pélissier
Customer experience specialist
Syngenta SA
1228 Chemin de l'Hobbit,
31790 Saint Sauveur- France
[email protected]
syngenta.fr