News

In the space of just a few years, the fungus Stemphylium – and in particular Stemphylium vesicarium – has become one of the biggest challenges for spinach growers worldwide. Vegetable breeding company Rijk Zwaan’s spinach breeding programmes are focussed on developing varieties that are resistant to this fungus. The initial results from an ongoing study by Washington State University in the USA have now confirmed that this focus over recent years has resulted in an assortment with a good number of spinach varieties with a high level of resistance to Stemphylium vesicarium.

Rijk Zwaan stays in close contact with its partners to exchange knowledge and provide them with valuable new market insights into current and future needs. Initiatives such as studio-based meetings help Rijk Zwaan to further develop the Sweet Palermo brand. Rijk Zwaan recently held a series of studio meetings with its Sweet Palermo partners in Israel and the Netherlands, and Germany and Poland are the next countries on the agenda. These meetings are perfect examples of brand-enhancing collaboration.

Two new races of the downy mildew pathogen (Peronospora effusa) on spinach have been denominated by the International Working Group on Peronospora in spinach (IWGP). Isolate SP1924 found in Europe, is denominated as race Pe: 18. Isolate UA202001E, found in the USA, is denominated as race Pe: 19. Rijk Zwaan’s spinach program has already a selection of varieties resistant to Pe: 18 and Pe: 19.

The ‘New Delhi’ virus has been a serious problem for many cucurbit growers, especially in the Mediterranean region, for numerous years. Due to its high infection pressure and rapid spread, this disease poses a severe threat to cucumber crops. Rijk Zwaan is proud to introduce a solution for cucumber growers: ‘Delhi Defense’.

Thanks to our intensive breeding programme at Rijk Zwaan and close collaboration with our partners, we are able to continuously develop new high-quality Sweet Palermo varieties in order to further strengthen the brand. On Thursday 25 March, the names of the newest Sweet Palermo varieties were officially announced at the facilities of two of our valued growing partners: VOF Ton-vd Maarel and Frestia BV. We are pleased to reveal that the official names are: Palermo RONTON RZ and Palermo RASHFORD RZ.

Seed companies and associations representing different regions in the world recently came together to sign a joint Declaration. They expressed their commitment to actively support achievement of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to proactively demonstrate their extensive and diverse contributions towards sustainable food systems. The sector also calls for more public private cooperation to achieve the goals. As a vegetable breeding company, Rijk Zwaan acknowledges its role as foundational contributor to the world’s food supply and we are committed to contribute to the SDGs.

The New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV) has been causing serious problems for squash growers in the Mediterranean region for close to a decade. The plant virus can attack the foliage and the fruits in any stage of cultivation, resulting in smaller, misshapen fruits and ultimately a lower yield. Following years of research, vegetable breeding company Rijk Zwaan has now introduced the first squash varieties with resistance to the New Delhi virus.

Innovating the tomato category ‘The future of fresh tomatoes is here!’ is the theme of the online Global Tomato Congress on 16 March. Vegetable breeding company Rijk Zwaan will be sharing its vision on the future of the tomato category in two online sessions during the event. One session will analyse research into consumer preferences and tastes, and the other will show the effects of the pandemic on the German retail market. The congress is free to attend.

Rijk Zwaan recently held a series of online meetings with greenhouse cucumber growers/ marketing companies in North America. The aim was to discuss the seed companies’ latest research into consumers’ purchasing preferences as well as shelf life characteristics of cucumbers. Although the COVID-19 restrictions meant that it was not possible to meet in person, Rijk Zwaan was able to discuss valuable insights with its partners ‘virtually’ by hosting the meetings from its very own studio.

Nowadays, sustainability is increasingly incorporated into a company’s business operations. Consumers have high expectations in terms of organic produce, low pesticide levels and alternatives to plastic packaging. So how can vegetable breeding companies play a role in offering solutions for ever-more demanding consumers?