Nunhems is adding new developments to a portfolio that prioritises high quality standards and is backing smaller sizes also for the Spanish market
Greater flavour and smaller size, these were the keys to success used by Nunhems® to satisfy the melon and watermelon market on display at the seminars held in Murcia in July last year. At this edition, its Business Event for Experts (BEFE) that will be held in Murcia during the first week of July will follow the same lines and it will strengthen the commitment to resistances that characterises its line of development. What will we be able to find? Nunhems advances its developments to Fruit Today:
Melons for open air growing
For early cycle in Murcia, the emphasis will continue on Coliseo, launched commercially last year. Flavour, high production, attractive grooving and resistance to New Delhi (it is the first commercial variety that incorporates this) are its main characteristics.
In medium cycle transplants, they are offering Salgado, also highly productive, with lengthwise grooves and an attractive format. Finally, they have a variety about to be introduced, NUN 68307 MEM, that will be a special treat for discerning consumers due to its very great flavour, high Brix and its golden skin colour. Its resistance to New Delhi, which is very important on these dates, complete its qualities.
For Castilla-La Mancha in medium cycle, Envero F1 stands out due to its high Brix and excellent flavour, brand-specific size (3-3.5kg) and attractive grooves.
Coliseo F1* is an ideal option for late transplants (particularly indicated due to its resistance to New Delhi). Toledano F1*, also for late cycle, stands out due to its production, thin grooves and high resistance to powdery mildew and aphids, with its main strong point being its post-harvest quality.
The mini Piel de Sapo line should be mentioned, with two varieties about to be introduced, NUN 68505 and NUN 68586 that maintain the “very high flavour” of the large varieties, but with the advantages of a 1.5-2kg size. “It is mainly marketed for export, but we are investing in a project for home consumption, due to the changes in household and consumption types”, states José Ramón Naranjo, a Sales Specialist from BASF Vegetable Seeds.
Watermelons
In mini watermelons with micro-seeds, the new variety of watermelon, Hiromi F1*, offers very good results under glass and a high circuit in open air crops as a monoculture, “mainly for companies that have schedules with mini watermelon customers and want high flavour uniformity with sizes of under 2 kg”, explains Pere Montón, a Specialist in Watermelons from Nunhems.
In the striped triploid segment, Bazman F1 is getting stronger and complements those growing Boston F1. Its hardiness in the fields, wide harvesting window (in high summer) and the fact that it improves the latter’s internal quality in one aspect: while it maintains its high standard of colour and flavour, it is easier to cut (ideal for halves and quarters due to its more attractive cut).
The striped watermelon project with superior quality that they started off with Sun Gem for greenhouse growing, continues in the open air with Moon Gem; and, within the black range, Style is becoming consolidated as an open air triploid, while Stellar is offered for early crops due to its ease of setting and also to continue the open air campaign, for projects that require this specific, but highly attractive striped colour.
* APC granted and undergoing the application process for inclusion in the EC Common Catalogue of Vegetable Varieties.
KISY, a new world
In a very specific segment, the one-person size fruits (600 -900 gr./piece), Nunhems has developed a new concept that has for ever revolutionised the way people eat watermelon, getting ahead of the market trends. Kisy is not just another watermelon, its size and versatility clearly differentiate it from the rest, but it has other added values such as the ease of peeling it (it has a very thin skin) and a flesh that is easily recognisable due to its unique, deep red colour and a content of between 10-12º Brix.
Its small size makes it easy to buy, transport, store and it also has a long shelf life. And the ‘cherry on the top of the cake’ is that it is ideal for eating in different ways and anywhere you want. In fact, it has already become the perfect ally of chefs, cooks and restaurateurs who are seeking to surprise with new recipes that bring flavour and health. “Kisy opens up a whole new world of possibilities and new business opportunities,” according to Francisco Solera, Country Sales manager at BASF Vegetable Seeds.
