Great expectations for the new individual watermelon by Nunhems, with ideal flavour and format for Millenials and Generation Z
Nunhems’ Business Event for Experts 2019 has contributed some important new developments. “We have been working on quality for many years and now we are taking one step further, adding different skin and size formats,” Mercedes Fernández, a watermelon specialist at BASF Vegetable Seeds, explained to Fruit Today. With this strategy, they intend to get particularly close to Millennial and Generation Z consumers. They are more demanding than their predecessors and want formats that avoid any waste and are ready to pay more for quality. And all these characteristics can be found in Hiromi F1*, the company’s new individual striped watermelon (1.5 to 2.5 kg), with great flavour that also offers farmers high productivity and ease of handling. “It will be a reference in the future.”
In the larger segments, they launched Bazman F1, a complement to Boston F1 for open air, with good behaviour in hot weather, firm texture and double aptitude (fresh and processed).
Another of its lines of work lies in resistances. In melons, the Cantaloupes, Charentais and Galias incorporate resistance to powdery mildew and aphids and in piel de sapo, Coliseo F1* has meant a milestone as it is the first variety with intermediate resistance to New Delhi and intermediate to powdery mildew. It also stands out as it offers an “excellent flavour from start to finish, high production and homogeneity in size,” according to José Ramón Naranjo, a specialist in melons.
In an introductory phase, there is NUN 68307 MEM F1* with intermediate resistance to New Delhi for late cycle in Murcia, which is essential given the high incidence of white fly in this segment. With great quality, high Brix levels, firm, but pleasant flesh and a size required by brands, it is another of the most outstanding new developments by the company.
And to complete the cycle in Murcia, they have developed Salgado F1 (medium transplanting), which is highly productive, with uniform, attractive fruit, which are of a size required by brands and excellent post-harvest, without giving up the flavour.
Kinium F1* is also worth mentioning. This completes the Galkia line (Kirene F1, Kinder F1, Kinetic F1).
