Since the problem of the ToBRFV tomato virus jumped into the arena, Bayer has been carrying out informative seminars in different production areas, placing the spotlight on the prevention of virus propagation. The latest one was held in November in Los Palacios, and particular emphasis was placed on the influence of the rootstock. “The plant’s resistance is mainly determined by the variety and toughness of the crop. Sturdy feet with proven agronomic guarantees are recommended, instead of a resistant foot that has not shown its potential in the fields,” the Head of Tomato Development for Spain and Portugal, Javier Villegas, affirms.
At this seminar, Bayer presented Novero. A beefsteak tomato that has shown its good resistance to ToBRFV (IR) and that adapts very well both to autumn and spring crops. It is a variety that is easy to handle due to its moderate robustness, open growing and earliness. It offers a competitive production potential, significant firmness, uniform calibre and high fruit quality throughout the entire campaign.
In its first year on the market, it is being profiled as a promising variety. “In the previous trials it raised important acceptance amongst the producers, particularly in conditions with a high pressure of the virus, where it presented a low or zero presence of symptoms.”
Alongside Novero, Bayer will soon launch another beefsteak tomato, DRTH 2913, also with IR to ToBRFV. Although it is framed in the same dates, several aspects differentiate it. To begin with, it has greater strength, adapting to more stressful conditions, a great setting capacity and large-sized fruit, as well as a good post-harvest.
Also from its beefsteak tomato portfolio, Mazinger has become consolidated in the early autumn segment as a reference variety. “Its good acceptance by sellers and its ability to start the campaign before any other variety stand out, favouring the producer’s economic yield.”
Parallel to this, they are working on another variety with resistances to TYLCV and ToBRFV, with a more intermediate calibre (G-GG), which is awakening interest in several production areas.
Looking towards the next campaign, they will launch SVTH3017, a Canary-type tomato for Murcia and the Canary Islands. “In addition to being a variety with high plant health, productive and with excellent fruit quality, it is being seen that it slows down the appearance of symptoms of ToBRFV and these are milder when compared with other susceptible varieties.”
In another segment, last year they presented Marmartínez, the company’s first Marmande tomato. “It is working very well, both in traditional crop cycles and in extra-early transplants. We are receiving very positive comments from the producers, as the constant quality and the possibility of reaching the markets earlier means that the produce is being sold at very good prices.”
