Agro SelectionsFruits is going to promote its Nature range to develop ecological varieties
The French Stone fruit breeding company has been working on disease resistances, tolerances and pests on its trees for many years. “Every time we select a variety, we rule out options until we are left with the ones that are less sensitive to disease,” points out Laurence Maillard, general manager of the company. In this way, they expect to generate new ranges that will allow cultivation without using any plant protection products.
“The Nature range will respond to the demands of the new world. Consumers are increasingly demanding wholesome, healthy products, which are environmentally-friendly,” the executive comments.
The merging of Agro SelectionsFruits and Frutaria, which took place last year, allows them to work and to carry out tests in this context in different regions, with different seedlings and cultivation methods, as they have three experimental fields in Badajoz, Huelva and Zaragoza.
Regarding the produce, they continue to specialise in apricots. This summer, they expect to present 8 varieties, which will follow the guidelines of self-fertilising, flavour (the same throughout the season and sweet), with many aromas and good concentration after harvesting. They are also working on varieties with molecular markers that show a resistance to xarka and that guarantee a good root production level, while providing adequate-sized fruits. During June and July, they will promote these fruits in Spain (Lerida) with technical presentations in the fields.
For flat peaches, certain varieties can be observed to already have become obsolete and this is due to the evolution in research. “Now there are fruits with exceptional presentation and this is what the producers are demanding. They have a better presentation, without any openings in the pistil cavity, along with heightened colouring (redder and more homogeneous). All of this, without losing any of the organoleptic characteristics that consumers already expect,” Maillard remarks.
Through its brand, REGAL’IN™, which encompasses all its genetic characteristics, Agro SelectionsFruits is developing its work with flat peaches, peaches and nectarines with white and yellow and even red flesh. This task is crossing borders to Chile, South Africa, Australia, USA and small countries such as Switzerland, where quality is valued, in addition to all the regions with great production potential in the Mediterranean.
Flavour
Flavour is the strong point that is never forgotten in the research carried out by ASF. For this reason, this year for the 4th time, they have received the 2019 Flavour of the Year Award for their REGAL’IN™ flat peach range. “This type of recognition is important to publicise all the work we do, since we want to offer something different”, the executive comments.
