Company showcases rocket and lettuce varieties were alongside new experimental cultivars at its Fresh-cut Open Days
Cora Seeds unveiled its latest innovations for the baby leaf segment for the fresh-cut market at its Fresh-cut Open Days at the Altamura Farm in Salerno, Campania this week.
The two-day event provided a unique opportunity to discuss with growers the challenges of the baby leaf segment, which requires varieties with high seed quality, disease resistance, extended shelf-life and excellent post-harvest resilience.
The seed specialist said its research programmes work precisely in this direction, taking into account both the production needs of producers and the needs of processors and packagers, with a vision that encompasses the entire supply chain.
“This approach has led to the development of high-yielding rocket varieties with excellent shelf-life, such as Karina F1 and Kadjar F1; established lettuce cultivars such as Maverick and Rossettina, which combine excellent shelf-life with a long harvest window; and new experimental cultivars tolerant to Bremia and Fusarium,” the company said.
Thanks to its position, between the Apennine Mountains and the Gulf of Salerno, and its fertile soils, the Sele River coastal plain where Altamura Farm is located is a key area for spring, autumn and winter crops and a European benchmark for fresh-cut produce.
Technological innovations and investment made in recent years have made this an increasingly important growing area.
Maurizio Bacchi, CEO of Cora Seeds, commented: “Investment in fresh-cut produce is a significant commitment for us as we strive to meet market needs in five or six years. Our goal is to offer competitive, versatile and reliable genetics while also fostering research and collaboration, building bridges between those who develop varieties and those who bring them to market. The Sele River coastal plain is the perfect area for the growth and development of the sector”.
The event also welcomed the participation of Vito Busillo, president of the Piana del Sele PGI Rocket Growers’ Consortium, and the support of Agricola Italiana, a leading manufacturer of agricultural machinery for sowing seeds.
