“Pretty positive” feedback about Nilo. The first commercial broccoli variety from Top Seeds was present in the fields of major companies in Murcia last season and is already gaining ground for the upcoming campaign. The sales team has held meetings with technicians and growers, and everything points to an increase in planted area because “it makes things easier for the grower,” says Antonio Ginés Beltrán, Head of Development.
“We held two field days at very specific times that provided us with very positive feedback. Last autumn was marked by widespread fungal problems in heads. Compared to other varieties, Nilo had a much lower incidence,” he explains.
The variety is suitable for cycles of 75 to 90 days. It is intended for plantings from 20 August in areas at 800 to 1,000 metres above sea level, and in Valle del Guadalentín and Campo de Cartagena for plantings approximately between 5 and 31 September.
The plant has medium vigour, producing medium-grain heads, with very upright leaves and exposed heads that are easy to harvest. Additionally, its long internodes allow for “spectacular trunk trimming, ultra easy.”
Once harvested, Nilo offers excellent post-harvest life. “For an early autumn variety, it has spectacular shelf life, with great durability in cold storage and strong resistance to fungal issues.”
New developments
Top Seeds is currently working on BRC-420, a pre-commercial variety designed to follow Nilo and aimed at October plantings.
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In the past campaign, they carried out two screenings in the B1 phase across different planting segments. They have already selected three promising numbers, with BRC 710 standing out for February plantings. “It’s still in a very early stage, but we’ve already seen it delivers great quality.”
If all goes according to plan, next season BRC-706, BRC-780, and BRC-710 will move into the B2 phase and will be tested in trays with growers and technicians from major companies.
