Brassica Magazine 2009 - Rijk Zwaan

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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.” 6 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
Page 1 and 2: Rijk Zwaan in Brassica
Page 3 and 4: ‘A serious player in Brassica cro
Page 5: Processors like nice tight florets
Page 9 and 10: Rijk Zwaan in Brassica 9
Page 11 and 12: With new packing and cooling facili
Page 13 and 14: Broccoli 25-59 RZ Small florets In
Page 15 and 16: ▲ Innovation expert Corrinne Goen

Brassica Magazine 2009 - Rijk Zwaan

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