Bejo is consolidating its presence in the Almería vegetable market with two cucumber varieties that are delivering consistently positive results among growers in the province. Sintra, the market’s first French cucumber with resistance to CABYV, and Alecto, a short Spanish cucumber specifically developed for coastal winter production, are at the heart of the company’s offering for the coming season. This is according to Yorking Antonio Vera, Fruit Crop Development Technician at Bejo, who highlights the brand’s growing recognition among growers and industry operators.
Sintra, a game changer
The seed company introduced Sintra last year as one of the most significant innovations in the French cucumber segment in recent years. Its key differentiating feature is the incorporation of intermediate resistance (IR) to CABYV (Cucurbit aphid-borne yellows virus).
According to Vera, it is the first French cucumber variety on the market to incorporate this resistance, providing growers in areas with high aphid-transmitted virus pressure with a practical solution while helping reduce the need for plant protection treatments without compromising production continuity.
In addition to CABYV, Sintra also incorporates resistance to CGMMV, giving the variety excellent plant health. It features high resistance (HR) to Ccu, CMV and CVYV, together with intermediate resistance (IR) to CABYV, CGMMV, CYSDV, Px and ZYMV. The recommended transplanting window extends from late October to late December.
Alecto, a winter Spanish cucumber
Meanwhile, Alecto is Bejo’s proposal for the Spanish cucumber segment, specifically developed for the winter production cycle with the objective of maximising fruit quality.
Its open plant architecture and good plant health facilitate crop management and improve ventilation, helping reduce the pressure from fungal diseases.
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The fruits are cylindrical, highly spined and show a low incidence of star-end defects, characteristics directly associated with commercial quality and market acceptance. In terms of productivity, the variety stands out for its high yield potential and excellent adaptation to the growing conditions typically found in Almería.
Alecto’s resistance package includes HR to Ccu and CVYV, together with IR to CMV, CYSDV and Px. Its transplanting period is broader than Sintra’s, running from early October through to December.
Albox and Pombal, established varieties
Alongside these two new introductions, the seed company continues to offer two well-established varieties for the Almería market. Albox, a Spanish cucumber, has now completed two successful seasons in the province, while Pombal, a French cucumber, has been commercially available for three years, delivering excellent performance in both disease resistance and productivity, making it a reliable choice for demanding growers.
“We are very pleased with our development in Almería. Every year more growers and companies get to know us and choose our varieties. Their confidence shows that there is solid work behind everything we do,” Vera concludes.
