It started with Borja and its resistance to yellow vein, then came Eslora—the first variety on the market to add CGMMV and New Delhi resistances to the ‘Triple Resistance.’ Now, Enza Zaden leads again with Chopper, the first variety on the market to combine six resistances: CGMMV, CVYV, CYSDV, Powdery Mildew (Px), New Delhi (ToLCNDV), and CABYV—a cucurbit yellowing virus transmitted by aphids, which is spreading across fields.
‘Cucumber crops are heavily affected by viruses. CGMMV is currently the most damaging, and yellowing is also being observed in plants. Lab tests show CABYV as one of the most frequently detected viruses,’ explains Juan Antonio López, sales representative at Enza Zaden.
In its first commercial year, Chopper is receiving excellent feedback from growers who have tested it in the field. This material meets the need for greater resistance against viruses and diseases, without sacrificing the level of production and quality required by the supply chain.
Great potential: Resistance, yield, and fruit quality
‘It has great potential,’ says Juan Antonio López. It is recommended for mid-season cycles—from August 20 to September 10 in fall plantings, and from January onward in spring plantings.
The plant has an open structure, with short internodes and moderately sized leaves that allow good light penetration. Fruits have ideal sizing (28–32 cm, 350–450 g), are deeply ribbed, dark green throughout the cycle, have no necking, a small blossom end, and fill out well. They also offer excellent post-harvest performance.
RELATED NEWS: Enza Zaden is presenting three cauliflower varieties
Agronomically, Chopper adapts well to high temperatures with no ‘burnt heads’ issues in summer and maintains strong fruit set and continuity throughout the cycle.
Leading cucumber companies are already getting to know the variety through personalized field visits in March and April. These visits confirm that, even in cucumber, ‘Resistance Makes the Difference’ in Enza Zaden’s portfolio—providing security, high production, and the quality that growers and marketers demand.
