Nunhems has two new short cucumbers that will join QVerde, and in Almeria cucumber, Squisito F1 has been consolidated and Squdo F1 added
With 95% of the cucumber market in Spain, Nunhems leads the segment. Its varieties are true benchmarks and the launch of QVerde (Contador F1, Nibali F1 and Alpita F1, in addition to Freire F1) meant a veritable revolution in short cucumber. “We thought that we had peaked, that they were unbeatable, but we now have another two pre-commercial varieties that exceed them in fruit and post-harvest quality, and they could be the new generation of QVerde”, according to Juan Carlos Rodríguez, a cucumber specialist from Nunhems. The company plans to present them during the next campaign, while they continue researching and investing to reach excellence in all the typologies, as is the case with the Minigustos snacks.
Also in long Almeria type cucumber they continue to innovate, and they already have a new generation of varieties. Although it was launched last year, the Squisito F1 will be confirmed commercially this year and launched on a large scale, with the slogan ‘Forging a leader”. At Nunhems, they trust that it can reach “a strong positioning”. Recommended for sowing from September to the first days of October, it provides high-level triple resistance (yellow vein, yellowing and powdery mildew). But they have also observed that “it bears the pressure of the New Delhi virus very well (above average), without having any genetic resistance due to the plant type.” This aspect is highly relevant because the virus is on the rise in the Almeria fields. “When it enters crops with Sqisito F1, the farmers have noticed that the symptomatology appears much later and affects the plants less.”
Agronomically-speaking, it has very important characteristics for the sowing dates. “The weather conditions are usually still extreme in September, but the farmers are starting to prepare the greenhouses for the winter and the varieties tend to suffer in the heat. However, this variety stands it very well thanks to its sturdy root system.” Another three key points are also worth mentioning: its medium internodes, its endurance against fruit abortion and its endurance against head burning.
Another new development, currently in a pre-commercial phase, is Squdo F1, which accompanies Mastil F1 and Ancla F1. Recommended for early autumn and spring sowing, it provides triple resistance and high tolerance to the new CGMMV virus. “Many farmers are already demanding varieties that can stand up to it. At present there is no resistance, but we have managed to obtain a high tolerance.”
