Brassica Magazine 2009 - Rijk Zwaan

Rijk Zwaan in Brassica

Contents
‘A serious player in Brassica crops’ 3
Rijk Zwaan cauliflower takes up a permanent
place at processors 4-5
Agassi RZ feels at home in the desert 6
‘Widening range for storage’ 7
‘Growing... with the market’ 7
Brassica Tour 2008 8-9
New appeal with ‘Pointed Bio’ 10-11
New and promising 12-13
Early Brassicas: a specialty in South-East Europe 14
‘There is so much more you can do with Brassicas’ 15
Rijk Zwaan in Brassica is a publication by:
Rijk Zwaan
P.O. Box 40, 2678 ZG De Lier
The Netherlands
Tel. +31 (0)174 53 23 00
E-mail: rijkzwaan@rijkzwaan.nl
www.rijkzwaan.com
For more information:
visit www.rzbrassicayear.com

‘A serious player in Brassica crops’
During Brassica Year 2008, Rijk Zwaan gave extra attention to Brassicas
worldwide. And with great success. The crowds in the demo fields, the positive
feedback afterwards and the high expectations for the future all indicate that
when it comes to Brassica crops, Rijk Zwaan is now a serious player.
With no less than 25 events in 22
countries, last year we put great effort
in showing our assortment. A huge
action but with a local approach,
what made it possible to show the
best assortment on every demo field,
depending on the season. But there
was more: expert advice, interesting
lectures and appropriate buffets to
exchange knowledge and experiences.
In doing so we have generated a lot of
enthusiasm with thousands of visitors.
Continuous search
We are pleased that we can really
present ourselves as a Brassica com-
pany now. In all Brassica segments we
have varieties that perform well, where
quality and crop characteristics are
concerned. Looking at it internationally,
we are covering an ever increasing
share of the market and the search for
top varieties continues unabated. After
all, breeding is a continuous process
and we are already growing a number
of promising new varieties in trials.
Ad van den Nieuwenhuizen
Michael Kreitz
Christian Spangenberg
Rijk Zwaan in Brassica 3

Piet Baekelandt has not regretted choosing Dexter RZ ▲
Rijk Zwaan cauliflower takes up
a permanent place at processors
When it comes to cauliflower, the processing industry is one of the major buyers. It is not surprising, then, that Rijk
Zwaan works hard on a range that meets the specific demands of this market, with suitable varieties for each region.
As far as that is concerned, Casper RZ and Dexter RZ are top varieties and very versatile into the bargain.
Rijk Zwaan works on varieties that meet
the specific demands of the industry ▲
Johan Decroos is account manager
industrial cropping for Rijk Zwaan ▲
Johan Decroos is account manager
industrial cropping for Rijk Zwaan.
He relates how, in the Benelux alone,
about 4,000 ha of cauliflower are
grown for industrial use. “So it’s only
logical that Rijk Zwaan takes the
demands of this market into account
in its breeding programme. That is
why we have selection trials, especially
aimed at industrial cropping. The
most successful varieties from these
trials are then tried out further in a
practical setting. In Spain that has
been Casper for many years now
and in the Benelux the industry is
going for variety Dexter in a big way.
In addition, our new variety Cercy
RZ also performed very well for the
industry in the new trials.”
Pretty on a plate
Dexter and Casper totally meet the
wishes of the frozen-food industry
in practice, Decroos continues.
“The industry wants a solid, white
cauliflower with a high specific
gravity. Processors also like nice tight
florets with a short stem. In short:
the processed product needs to look
good on the plate of the consumer.
And these two varieties certainly do
that! The florets are lovely and white,
with short stems. A big advantage
of Casper and Dexter is that both
varieties can find their way to the
consumer in different ways. They are
also excellent for the fresh market and
the convenience segment. The latter is
especially important, as this market is
experiencing enormous growth that is
not going to stop soon.”
Decroos: “Buyers are very happy and
make permanent room for our varieties
in their ranges. Due to the unique
combination of traits I also expect that
these varieties will retain their strong
position well into the future.”
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RZ brassica | 2009

Processors like nice tight florets with a short stem ▲
Dexter RZ: At the request of the
buyer
Dexter is becoming increasingly
popular in big-production countries
Belgium and Poland. One of the
growers with experience of growing
Dexter is Piet Baekelandt from
Meulebeke (Belgium). “Last year we
had a trial field with 15 cauliflower
varieties, at the request of our buyer,
Ardo. Dexter emerged as one of the
best varieties, for us as growers and
for our buyer. That decided us to grow
1 ha of it this year.” Baekelandt has
not regretted his choice. “We noticed
that Dexter has great wrapper leaves.
It is a vigorous cauliflower that makes
leaves very easily. We like that in a
cauliflower, as it saves us a lot of work.
It is also a good choice quality wise:
it is a heavy cauliflower that keeps its
dense structure and nice white colour.
The head is also filled right down to
the base and the harvest percentage is
high. Ardo, our buyer, was also happy.
We had no problems in supplying nice
florets with short stems of AA quality,
perfect for the industry.”
Casper RZ: Strong in different
climates
Around 40% of the total cauliflower
market in Spain is now taken up by
Casper. The success story started
about 10 years ago. “This variety soon
showed itself to be a real eye-catcher,”
says Rijk Zwaan crop specialist José
Hernandez Torres. “Initially it was
discovered by the fresh market in
particular, but we now know that
it also has the right characteristics
for the industry. The variety has
enormous advantages for growers as
it performs well in many different
climates. Here in Spain we get some
extreme conditions and Casper is
unique in that it feels at home in all
these conditions. To give an example:
the variety is grown all over Spain in
spring and autumn at altitudes ranging
from 0 – 1,000 metres. In summer,
on the other hand, the variety does
well at 500 – 1,000 m altitude. What
is also important is that both drip and
channel irrigation can be used when
growing Casper, which also contributes
to its all-round character.”
Rijk Zwaan in Brassica 5

From left to right: Mike Ennin (Coastline Sunrich),
Andrew Courier (Badlands Provisions), Danny
Williams and David Johnson (Gowan Seed
Company) and Merek Dorf (Rijk Zwaan) ▲
Agassi RZ feels at home
in the desert
It took several trials to find the right place to grow broccoli variety Agassi RZ.
But since it was planted commercially in the desert of Arizona during the
autumn of 2008 it really has started to demonstrate its advantages.
One of the great advantages of Agassi RZ is its
constant quality ▲
The desert of Arizona proofs itself as a good
place to grow Agassi RZ ▲
Agassi consistently produces dense,
smooth heads with a high domed
shape. It is able to produce a solid
plant anchored by a sturdy root
system, consistently making heads
with small to medium size beads and
an attractive dark green colour. Talking
with key growers in the desert, the
consensus is that Agassi fits perfectly
into their broccoli programmes, with
excellent performance in normal
growing conditions.
One of the Agassi growers is Andrew
Courier of Badlands Provisions in the
Imperial Valley, supplied by Gowan
Seed Company. For him, the main
advantages are the long sowing period
and the consistent quality Agassi
produces. “Agassi has more continuity
in harvest. Instead of relying on two or
three products to cover all the harvest
slots, I can use Agassi throughout
the harvest period from late January
through early March. By sticking
with Agassi for a longer time, I leave
no varietal gap.” Due to the consistent
quality Agassi maintains during
harvest, Badland Provisions is able to
harvest Agassi for export as well as for
domestic markets. “Whether it’s for
crowns, florets, bunches or the special
Coastal Sunrich iceless vacuum-sealed
product, Agassi gives me a lot of flexibility
in marketing the product.”
The direct-drilled fields in the desert,
which are mostly irrigated by furrow
and drip irrigation, create a perfect
environment for Agassi, Courier
concludes. “It feels at home, which
really helps in enhancing its wonderful
characteristics.”
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RZ brassica | 2009

Germany
’Widening range for storage’
Storage cabbage is an important
segment within Brassicas and as
a result gets a lot of attention in
the breeding work of Rijk Zwaan.
Christian Spangenberg is coordinating
the international Headed Cabbage
activities at Rijk Zwaan:
“At our Marne breeding station we
have a special location for storage
evaluation, combining field results
with practical storage tests because
only the final check after 5 – 9 months
in ambient or cold-store conditions
will reveal the realistic value and marketing
options of a new hybrid. It is
very important to harvest the cabbages
per weight classification, since growers
require very detailed information
about the options they get with an
expensive long-stored product.”
In February 2008 Rijk Zwaan was
proud to welcome over 600 regional
and international guests to the
Brassica Year event in Marne. A great
opportunity to talk to other specialists
and learn about new developments in
the business.
“Technical solutions, growing concepts
and naturally the newly-launched
varieties drew quite some attention,”
Spangenberg noticed. “Storema RZ
for example has gained very quickly in
significance in all the regions for storage
cabbage in Europe and continues
to gain market shares. Furthermore,
‘all-rounders’ like Ancoma RZ are
moving successfully into international
storage areas, widening the Rijk Zwaan
Marne range first of all in eastern
Europe.”
In 2009 another storage event took
place with, as one of the impressive
winners, Mucsuma (30-256) RZ, a
high yielder for the large segments
with processing value. Spangenberg:
“Depending on the growing system
you can expect 5 kg head weights
in the late harvesting season, or
long-term storage quality within the
3 – 4 kg range. Mucsuma performed
especially well at our continental trial
locations in Hungary and Russia. We
expect to take the storage varieties
from Marne way beyond their native
origins.”
At the Marne breeding station, special
attention is given to storage evaluation ▲
Italy
‘Growing… with the market’
Kohlrabi is one of the first crops
developed by Rijk Zwaan for the
Italian market. Even after fifteen
years, it remains one of the main crops
in the Brassica range. In pursuing this
aim, Rijk Zwaan has been involved in
the growth of this species in Italy, says
Rijk Zwaan crop specialist Alessandro
Silvestrelli (left) and Alfonso Nocera of
Agrinocera ▲
crop specialist Alessandro Silvestrelli:
“In fact, it went from being a fairly
unknown type of cabbage, with its
first appearances in the Latina area,
to being one of the most widely
cultivated crops in Italy for export
to other European countries. Over
recent years our main commitment
has always been to try and understand
the crop how it is now, but also how
it may possibly evolve in the future.
This kind of approach has enabled
us to come up with an innovative
type of breeding, presenting the first
male-sterile varieties on the market.
Furthermore, we introduced genetic
characteristics including vigour and
upright position of the leaves and the
length of the hypocotyls, lifting the
bulb and consequently reducing the
impact of soil diseases.”
“Our work aims not only to develop
high-profile genetic material, but at
the same time to share our experience
with the grower,” Silvestrelli
continues. “The kohlrabi crop has
grown so quickly, but is still young
and its physiological, nutritional and
health-related characteristics are still
fairly little known. By studying and
carrying out research together we want
to continue along our successful path
of cooperation.”
Silvestrelli expects that further
exploration of the kohlrabi species
will present new challenges. “With our
experience and leadership we will be
able to tackle these challenges. I am
convinced that constant work in the
field, including information exchanges
and tests, will remain the winning
force for us.”
Rijk Zwaan in Brassica 7

A great year
‘These are the Rijk Zwaan Brassicas’
After many years of breeding work, last year the time had come to show
the world what Rijk Zwaan has to offer in Brassicas. Along the Brassica
Tour 2008 thousands of growers, merchants, processors, retailers,
journalists and university representatives from home and abroad had
visited the various demo fields. Rijk Zwaan would like to thank all the
guests for their input and individual support during the RZ Brassica Year.
8
RZ brassica | 2009

Rijk Zwaan in Brassica 9

New appeal with ‘Pointed Bio’
Behr AG in Ohlendorf (Germany) is a Europe-wide operating salad producer, always looking for novelties and now
entering Brassica crops with its own marketing concept BIO BÄR. A successful example is green pointed cabbage
Sonsma RZ, which provides a lot of opportunities for marketing the product.
As long ago as in the autumn of 2006,
Rijk Zwaan had stimulating discussions
with Rudolf Behr about novelties
in Brassica crops in the Opperdoes
RZ trial fields in Noord-Holland.
Eventually, the project with Sonsma
was started in Portugal, where Behr
AG (AMG Agrar Management GmbH)
trialled it as a premium product,
supplying from February / March, just
in time for the early market season
in Germany. The trials were a success
and eventually led to completely new
prospects. Sonsma clearly surpassed
the other early varieties, round or
pointed, in terms of taste. As a result,
50 ha of Sonsma were launched in
Germany in 2008 as part of the BIO
BÄR concept. At the moment its taste
is even regarded as the standard for
new pointed cabbage varieties.
Revival of Brassicas
Dr. Georg Mevenkamp, who coordinates
all growing schedules and
new projects within Behr AG (AMG
Agrar Management GmbH), explains
more about this concept, which also
includes cauliflower and broccoli: “A
new appeal for traditional vegetable
crops is necessary. The demand for
light and healthy nutrition requires
products of high value. Taste issues
Success through cooperation
The success of the Sonsma project is a good example of the
cooperation between Rijk Zwaan and growers. By exchanging
breeding developments and thoughts on marketing issues,
new successful products can emerge. Rijk Zwaan and Behr
are also looking for retail partners who reach large numbers
of consumers and feel dedicated to fresh products. For Rijk
Zwaan it is a rewarding challenge to develop reliable, fastgrowing
varieties, delivering the premium qualities of the entire
food-producing chain. The next generation of test hybrids from
Rijk Zwaan will, therefore, be available soon. Behr himself will
move RZ novelty 30-252 RZ into test production, expecting
even better compactness.
From left to right: Christian Spangenberg, Rijk Zwaan Brassica
specialist, Dr. Georg Mevenkamp, Behr AG (AMG Agrar
Management GmbH) and Georg Karancsi, product advisor
Rijk Zwaan
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RZ brassica | 2009

With new packing and cooling facilities, Behr AG is able to optimise its logistics. This
contributes to a quality product at the end of the chain. ▲
need a revival, organic qualities are
affordable today. Especially Brassica
crops still suffer from an image as vegetables
that need a long cooking time,
with laborious preparation. That’s why
we launched the BIO BÄR concept,
which is tailor-made for Sonsma.“
For Sonsma, Behr defined two
different market segments: single
packs for the fresh market with a
maximum weight of 1 kg per head and
a ‘trendy veg’ for use in the microwave
as a double pack, with single head
weights of 400 g. The microwavable
BIO pointed cabbage is a real
innovation, attractively presented in
special microwave plastic. “An acute
awareness of consumer needs and
expectations is important, especially
with organic marketing. Sustained
demand is generated from the taste
experience. With BIO BÄR we also
want to initiate “live tastings” this year
at the point of sale, to get in direct
contact with consumers.”
Controlled chain
The actual production planning for
the BIO BÄR location in Gresse
(south-east of Hamburg) is around 170
ha of Brassica crops, produced according
to European guidelines for organic
crops. Within two hours the harvested
product is cooled and packed, guaranteeing
a refrigerated chain to each
marketing partner. The new packing
and cooling facilities
in Ohlendorf will
optimise the existing
logistics of Behr
AG even further.
Mevenkamp: “Top
quality in organic
production of
pointed cabbage is
achieved by planting
Sonsma throughout the
season under insect netting,
with a plant density of around
50,000 plants/ha. Mechanical
weeding and overhead irrigation
are basic requirements for
production. Using a slow-release
fertiliser results in a cabbage crop
with an excellent field performance, a
strong cell structure and intensive wax
layering. This approach also provides
a longer harvesting period. Altogether,
Sonsma is a truly appealing variety, for
marketing as well as for
growing.”
Rijk Zwaan in Brassica 11

New and promising
Our plant breeding efforts in Marne, Fijnaart and La Palma ensure the continuous widening and deepening of our
range. Below is an overview of a number of promising newcomers which have prompted many enthusiastic reactions
from the commercial world. Enthusiasm for an attractive presentation, yield reliability, high productions and more.
Varieties all with at least one thing in common: a promising future.
Cauliflower
Vitaverde
Year-round speciality
Vitaverde is the first green cauliflower
variety that can be grown year-round:
in winter in subtropical or Mediterranean
conditions and for the remainder
of the year in temperate climates. The
crop is vigorous and upright-growing.
The heads are tolerant to bracting and
riciness.
Castellum RZ (26-158 RZ)
Perfect for late autumn
A strong and vigorous autumn variety
that performs well especially in late
autumn. When growing conditions
are slow and light intensity is low, this
variety comes into its own. The white,
solid head gets very good cover from
the wrapper leaves. This variety grows
very upright, making it very easy to
harvest.
Miramonte RZ (26-165 RZ)
Fast grower
With a crop cycle of 56 – 70 days,
Miramonte is a fast grower. In spring
the variety is very suitable for the
temperate central and northern European
conditions. Given subtropical or
Mediterranean conditions, Miramonte
performs very well in early autumn,
too. Presentation is always excellent
under all circumstances.
Magister RZ (26-150 RZ)
All-rounder
‘A vigorous crop that feels at home in
different conditions’ is the best way
to describe Magister. In summer the
variety performs well in temperate
climates and in spring and summer it
can also be grown very successfully
in subtropical conditions. Its large
wrapper leaves and nicely rounded,
white head complete the picture.
Cercy RZ (26-220 RZ)
Stable and reliable
Just like Casper RZ, Cercy is a stable
and crop-reliable variety. Compared
with Casper the crop is more vigorous
and the crop cycle is about 5 days
longer. Cercy does well when given
high temperatures but, thanks to its
vigour, is better able than Casper
to cope with relatively cold conditions.
The first trials for industry are
promising.
26-849 RZ
Strong and healthy Romanesco
A variety that performs well in
autumn and winter. Its strong resistance
to Mycosphaerella and white
blister provides a lot of yield reliability
for growers. The healthy crop gives a
solid head after 120 days. 26-849 gives
a good production and is suitable for
the processing industry.
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RZ brassica | 2009

Broccoli
25-59 RZ
Small florets
In subtropical and Mediterranean
conditions this is a real top variety in
spring. Its high resistance to downy
mildew is a very big plus point while
it is growing, and its high weight and
small florets are great selling points.
Red cabbage
28-301 RZ
Stress proof
An interesting, new variety for early
season as well as for continuous plantings
year-round.
28-301 adapts easily to different or
extreme climate conditions, offering a
long harvesting period. The well-filled
heads develop a nice round shape,
offering a weight range from 1 – 2 kg.
Its intensive red colouring and short
core satisfy consumer demands.
Rexoma RZ
Reliable and well-rounded
Rexoma offers a lot of yield reliability
and, late in the season, a uniform
crop in all the traditional cabbage
countries. It gives a compact head and
is interesting to all sales channels,
including the stored-cabbage market.
This multi-purpose red cabbage has a
nice round head shape, with internal
values like a well-balanced red-white
contrast and limited bleeding.
White cabbage
Zuleima RZ
Versatile
A versatile, oblate variety that can
be used in various ways. Suitable
for processing as sauerkraut or as a
fine ingredient in fresh salads. The
vigorous growing habit can realize
head weights of up to 6 kg, but there
are sales options within the 2.5 – 3.5
kg category as well. The slow internal
filling is very much appreciated by
both growers and end-users.
Mucsuma RZ
Suitable for the processing
industry
This new variety covers an extended
sales period, ranging from late season
to well into marketing from storage.
Strong vigour and reliable field performance
under stress are important
values for growers, ensuring them a
strong partnership with the processing
industry. Mucsuma combines a safe
yield potential with top fresh-cut
qualities such as a uniform leaf
structure and high output.
Savoy
Morama RZ
High dry-matter content
In between savoy and white cabbage,
this variety is suitable for the fresh
market, industrial and convenience
segments. Due to its high drymatter
content it is eminently suited
to desiccation. Morama shows waxy
dark green leaves and is strong against
thrips. Its vigorous but slow growing
habit gives interesting options for
overwintering areas and extreme
climate conditions.
Kohlrabi
Eltville RZ
Easy harvesting
This new variety impresses in summer
and autumn. The crop has a lot of
vigour and with its nicely rounded
bulb shape and smooth skin, presentation
is excellent. Eltville has strong
and long hypocotyls, contributing to
the bulbs’ healthy base and making
them easy to harvest.
Siret RZ (32-007 RZ)
Strong in winter
This variety is suitable for southern
European winter production. Its high
resistance to mildew and vigorous,
upright crop offer growers big advantages
when growing conditions are less
than perfect.
Rijk Zwaan in Brassica 13

Rijk Zwaan varieties for early cultivation
drew a lot of attention during the Brassica
event in Hungary.
▲
Early Brassicas: a speciality
in South-East Europe
One of the very successful Rijk Zwaan Brassica events in 2008 was the one
in Hungary, where in the first week of May more than 300 growers from 7
countries followed the invitation. This was not only a signal of great interest,
but also an appreciation to RZ varieties.
Some varieties show their full market
potential in tunnel production
Early white cabbage is popular in
countries like Hungary, the Balkans
and Ukraine, where they consume and
export it fresh, for salads. Growers
produce it under unheated plastic
tunnels, and transplant between
January and March, depending on the
areas. Special growing needs special
attention, we believe at Rijk Zwaan.
Therefore we decided to focus a
special breeding activity to this market
segment. Our Trial Station in Felgyö
(Hungary) acts as the main centre for
early Brassica trials, and demos.
During the Brassica event in Felgyö,
on different locations we showed
plastic tunnels with variety trials, different
plant densities, mini tunnels in
the open field, and crops covered by
fleece. László Ragyák is crop specialist:
“The early white cabbage Jetma RZ
was the main focus for Macedonian,
Romanian, and Ukrainian growers.
The followers Rayma RZ and Adema
RZ performed also well, depending
on the market demands. While the
Serbian and Croatian guests especially
liked the dark green coloured Adema,
for the Romanian colleagues the fresh
green Rayma was the most popular
one.”
Different technical solutions of crop
covering offer interesting alternatives
to the growers to achieve better
earliness, which is essential, explains
Ragyák “Our demo went into details
about the right cultivation technique,
because we want to support our
customers in finding the right way
of growing. Through discussions we
also receive feedback about our new
hybrids. This gives us new energy and
inspiration to breed those varieties,
which are needed for the most
successful cultivation in this specific
segment.”
Different mulch materials and irrigation
systems in test
International guests entering the Felgyö
trial station
14 RZ Brassica | 2009

▲
Innovation expert Corrinne Goenee
‘There is so much more
you can do with Brassicas’
Brassicas are popular around the globe, but there is still a whole world to be won. By giving consumers new ideas and
a better experience, but also by thinking up new solutions. Product development by means of plant breeding can play a
significant role in this.
It is part of Rijk Zwaan’s innovative
appeal to let itself be inspired by
experienced trend watchers like innovation
expert Corrinne Goenee. Her
advice bureau ‘White Tree’ specialises
in marketing and innovation in the
area of food. She has also noticed that
cabbage is bought more and more
by consumers as a pre-cut product.
Nice and easy, but she is nevertheless
convinced that there are still many
opportunities for cabbage as a fresh
product. “Brassicas have everything.
They are healthy and nutritious and
can be used in so many ways: boiled
or stir-fried, as a solid base for a meal
or as part of a light diet. Use it in
traditional recipes or try something
unusual. What other vegetables are so
versatile! The only thing is that these
possibilities are not communicated
enough at the moment.”
Bringing pleasure
In recent years, Goenee has seen a
striving for a better quality of life in
less time. “People want to enjoy the
good things in life and eating well is
part of that. Not just because it helps
you to feel better and fitter, but also
because you can make food preparation
into something enjoyable. Fresh
ingredients and modern preparation
methods are bringing back the
pleasure you can get from cooking and
eating. Convenience is still appreciated
but it has to be combined with health
and flavour. More attention, less
effort: that is the modern way of home
cooking.”
The development of new vegetables
can stimulate and support this
development further, Goenee thinks.
“Looking at the future I see cabbage
crops in all sorts of new colours,
shapes and leaf structures emerging,
with real added value. Together with
traditional values, like shelf life and
health, and exciting recipes, a real
treasure can be re-discovered.”
Telling a story
From a marketing perspective,
emotions can be used to modernise
the partly boring image that Brassicas
seem to have, continues Groenee:
“Brassicas are ideal for evoking an
emotion; making a product into a
concept. For instance, red cabbages
harvested in a field could be associated
with rosy cheeks from fresh air activities.
That fits in with the emotional
world of mothers who want the best
for their children.”
All Brassica crops are naturally healthy
products and may well contain extra
phytochemicals or even medicinal
substances to be identified in the
near future. But even then, Goenee
concludes, it will need a story. “For
example, children would not need
to eat as much of it for it to have the
same effect. Vegetables can be made
into a brand with unique characteristics,
a convincing story and plenty
of marketing opportunities. There
is still a whole world to be won with
Brassicas. I’m convinced of it.”
Rijk Zwaan in Brassica 15

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