The Dutch cucumber with SmartQ genetics from Semillas Fitó offers plant health, high production and exceptional fruit quality
The new Dutch cucumber campaign has placed very high expectations on the varieties with SmartQ genetics from Semillas Fitó who, in recent months, have been showing different comparative trials to large producers, farmers and technicians.
In order to appreciate these advantages, we should look at the photos: in Photo 1 the Smart Q genetics produces shorter, high quality fruit and a plant with smaller, horizontally-placed leaves, which mean that it is very well ventilated and it is easier for the light to get through. In Photo 2, on the right, we can see a lane planted with Smart Q, darker coloured and with excellent health, compared to the lane on the left where we can see a reference variety in the region used as a control, with a much lighter colour and leaves that are affected by different viruses.
Additionally, the farmers who have tried these varieties in their greenhouses are highly satisfied with the results and the advantages that stand out from the SmartQ genetics are: plants with a higher natural resistance to disease, with short internodes, smaller, darker leaves that are more horizontally positioned, smaller flowers and shorter, very high quality fruit.
The latest variety incorporated to the SmartQ family by Fitó is Caobado, recommended for transplanting at the beginning of October, giving production from mid-November. Caobado offers greater plant ventilation, which allows more clarity to reach its interior, with greater luminosity on the fruit, along with a healthier plant. The fruit has a length that is adapted to the market demands; it is grooved, shiny, deep green in colour and with small pistil closing.
Additionally, Semillas Fitó already had two Dutch cucumber varieties with SmartQ genetics: Tejo and Mitre. Tejo is focussed on sowing from August to the 15th of September and on spring crops from the 15th of January. On the other hand, Mitre is a variety for sowing from the end of August to the beginning of September and for spring crops from the 15th or 20th of February.
