Manchester and SVMA6558, the latest from Bayer
The company is closing the yellow melon cycle with a variety for open air in Murcia and it continues opening up the market with Orange Candy, its speciality line
In this campaign, the initial forecasts indicate that there will be 20% less surface area for melons in Almeria and -10% in Murcia, mainly in Piel de Sapo and Charentais melons. In Castilla-La Mancha, after the reduction occurring over the past decade, this year it is expected to remain more or less stable. These are the forecasts being handled by Bayer.
The company is basing its melon variety development strategy on three points, according to José Guirado, Melon Development Manager. The first point is profitability, through flexible varieties in agronomic handling that make the work easier and guarantee productivity. The second is sustainability, through resistant materials that have a long shelf-life, which need fewer plant protection applications and allow food waste to be reduced, in favour of the environmental and current consumer demands. And last, but not least, are the flavour and organoleptic qualities, which are key factors for winning back the end consumers and keeping the supermarkets happy.
This year, Bayer is offering materials that bring together all these premises under its Seminis brand. This is the case of Manchester, its new yellow melon for open air, which is facing up to its first year on the market as a milestone after 10 years without any new developments in this segment. With resistance to powdery mildew and aphids, it complements the line started by Chester and Rochester, characterised by fruit with very good flavour and post-harvest. “With Manchester we are closing the cycle from Almeria to La Mancha”.
Regarding long-life Galia, they continue developing their market-leading Cyro Line range. The latest varieties, Albizu and Galvir, have managed to position themselves as references in their segment.
In specialities, Orange Candy, its line of yellow melons with orange flesh, it is gaining market share with varieties such as SVMA6558, which was launched last year. Regarding this, Guirado emphasises its agronomic handling, which is easier than its predecessors.
“This year, the surface area of Orange Candy is increasing in all regions. We are managing to obtain an important weight,” Guirado indicates. The range is made up of varieties that allow cultivation in different areas of Spain, Brazil, Senegal and Central America, allowing companies to offer a 365-day supply, with melons that have a long shelf-life and excellent internal quality.
