Rijk Zwaan’s development in brassicas is mainly focused on four aspects: leaf health, yield, post-harvest and predictable cycles. These are basic characteristics to make the grade in an unstable context for the producers. Added to the familiar problems of inflation and labour shortages, there is the concern about climate change, which is directly affecting productions. “Generally, in brassicas there is a drop in production and a delay in the cycles due to the scarcity of rainfall and the vernalisation during the months of October and November,” explains José Antonio Hernández, a Brassica Crop Specialist at Rijk Zwaan Ibérica. The crops are becoming increasingly stressed due to the lack of hours of cold, amongst other aspects, although the positive part is the reduced incidence of diseases owing to the low humidity recorded this winter.
At Rijk Zwaan, they continue working on the development of materials that allow these issues to be minimised. Currently, their most important broccoli variety is Larsson RZ, “the winter star,” and they are trying out new varieties to extend the range.
One of the up and coming introductions, in this case, for the summer, is Alcaraz RZ. It follows the quality line of Rijk Zwaan’s winter broccoli, with fine, homogenous grain, a characteristic shape and a dark colour. It also works very well at high temperatures and has a very good post-harvest.
In cauliflowers, they continue introducing Bouchard RZ for 90-day cycles, and they are starting with the commercial launch of Campohana RZ and Ancelmar RZ, winter varieties with 115-day cycles and greater stability than the typical 120 to 130-day cauliflowers. “We can use them to predict the cycle,” Hernández affirms.
Winter Open Field Days e-vent 2024
The seed company now has everything ready to hold its traditional Winter Open Field Days e-vent from the 12th to the 23rd of February. At this edition, they will respond to the new demands of the market with innovative and efficient solutions. Improving shelf-life, obtaining reliable yields, increasing resistances without forgetting flavour… and everything needed to constantly move forward.
As always, the event will take place at the CED La Palma in Cartagena (Murcia).
