The seed company Vilmorin-Mikado has been working on the conical pepper line for some time now. A typology that is gaining market share amongst European consumers thanks to the attraction of its sweet flavour. Accordingly, the plant breeder has opted for seeking out materials to improve the agronomical quality of other proposals already on the market. And it is doing this with Yuko F1 and Anakin F1, two sweet red conical varieties for export.
The first commercial variety to be added to its portfolio was Yuko F1, which incorporates resistance to Spotted and L4. “Yuko F1 stands out due to its more homogeneous fruit sizes than others, with an average weight and shape that continues throughout the cycle, an important factor because it is sold in bags,” Joaquín González, Europe Pepper Crop Specialist at Vilmorin-Mikado, explains to Fruit Today.
Focused on plantation dates from the end of July to the beginning of August, Yuko F1 allows the cycle to be extended until the end of April-May, with a staggered production.
Following Yuko F1, this year Vilmorin-Mikado is launching Anakin F1, an ideal complement for producers who prefer to be ahead of the crowd. And the fact is that the plantation cycle is slightly earlier (the entire month of July). Another important difference is that in addition to Spotted and L4, it incorporates resistance to nematodes, bringing extra security to farmers, as well as savings in treatment costs.
And in the Lamuyo pepper range, this year Vilmorin-Mikado has another important new development that is in an introductory phase, Carletto F1, with resistance to powdery mildew. This characteristic is a claim that is already present on the California market and is beginning to also be demanded in Lamuyos because it means fewer plant protection treatments, which turns Carletto F1 into the ideal option for bio and zero residue production, according to Joaquín González.
Additionally, Vilmorin-Mikado has a wide range of California peppers in its portfolio, with highly consolidated varieties such as Nyobi F1 (very early, with high resistance to powdery mildew) and Nyostar F1 (also for early crops, with high resistance to powdery mildew and nematodes). In the near future, new developments will be added to these. The first one is a red California pepper in a pre-commercial phase, for medium cycle and that includes a complete pack of resistances. The second one is a yellow California with resistance to powdery mildew for medium cycle, which complements the already very well-known variety, Eglantine F1.
Diversification in tomatoes
In the tomato category, Vilmorin-Mikado’s development line is centred on format diversification. Manuel Ruiz Ayala, Tomato & Rootstock Crop Specialist for Europe, recalls successes such as the grooved red tomato, Rebelión F1; one of the latest incorporations, the San Marzano style, Sir Galvan F1; the plum tomato Trujillo F1; the vine tomato F1, ideal for ecological crops… but that is not all. Very soon they will inform about new developments in beefsteak and cherry tomatoes, along with a tomato aimed at the Spanish home market.
All of this is accompanied by a wide range of rootstocks, the latest incorporation being Fullpro F1, with maximum strength and an as yet unusual resistance on the market: Fusarium oxysporumf.sp.lycopersici (For), in addition to resistance to Fol:0.1.2(1-3)USA.
