Bejo continues to develop a brassica portfolio aimed at addressing the main challenges currently facing growers: extreme temperatures, the rise of diseases such as Alternaria, increasing demand from the processing industry and the need to adapt to potential mechanisation. According to Rubén Muñoz, Development Technician Brassicas at the company, the goal is clear: “to secure a decent and high-quality harvest” in a context where many growers are abandoning summer plantings due to the lack of reliable varieties for June and July.
The varietal gap is especially evident in the south, where cauliflower acreage has decreased significantly and brassica plantings in those months are now minimal. For this reason, Bejo is already working on experimental materials in both cauliflower and broccoli, focusing on shorter cycles and greater robustness—traits that reduce the need for treatments and improve tolerance to water and heat stress.
Salinas: excellent for mechanisation
In broccoli—where Murcia remains the leading region in production and export—new growing areas are emerging, such as the Ebro Valley, Extremadura and Castilla-La Mancha. Alternaria continues to be one of the crop’s main challenges, and Muñoz stresses that “whoever manages to bring a resistant variety to market first will have a clear competitive advantage”.
At the same time, mechanisation is progressing thanks to selective technologies equipped with AI and circular blades capable of making clean cuts and selecting pieces suitable for fresh market and processing. In this context, Salinas stands out as a strategic variety: domed shape, firm structure, compact bead, dual-purpose use (though primarily geared towards industry) and excellent mechanical harvesting performance thanks to its open, vigorous plant habit (90–95 days).
Basento, Bejo’s latest cauliflower introduction
In cauliflower, Bejo is concentrating much of its research on summer and spring–autumn cycles, where greater commercial opportunities exist. The crop’s complexity, combined with years of losses in the warmer months, has discouraged May and June plantings. Mechanisation progress is slower here, with estimates of a 5–8 year horizon due to the complexity of the foliage.
RELATED NEWS: Bejo will strengthen its position in genetics and R&D
Among the winter novelties, Basento stands out for its dual-purpose use (though mainly focused on industry), high yield and excellent plant health. Its 120-day cycle and strong curd coverage make it well suited for the Ebro Valley and southern areas such as Seville or Lebrija. A similar option is Cilento, with a 140-day cycle, designed for industry and especially useful in the north to bridge harvest windows after Basento and Benidorm.
Muraco, the pointed cabbage designed for industry
In the cabbage segment, the pointed variety Muraco (a CMS version of Murdoc) stands out for its uniformity and easier harvesting. With 130-day cycles and average weights of 2.5–3 kg, its yield makes it a highly attractive option for the processing industry, though it can also perform well in fresh market for short-day production.
With these developments, Bejo reinforces its commitment to a sector that demands solutions to continue producing brassicas profitably and sustainably in an increasingly challenging climate scenario.
