Seed company launches five varieties with intermediate resistance to Nasonovia Nr:1
Enza Zaden has launched five new iceberg lettuce varieties that offer intermediate resistance (IR) to the Nr:1 biotype of Nasonovia ribisnigri, commonly known as the lettuce aphid.
This pest has long plagued lettuce growers by damaging crops through sap extraction and virus transmission, leading to distorted leaves, stunted growth, and reduced yields. With EU regulations phasing out chemical pesticides, growers are left with limited options for pest control.
The emergence of the Nr:1 biotype in 2007 broke previous resistance (Nr:0), posing a serious threat to lettuce cultivation. Enza Zaden said its new varieties not only combat this threat with IR to Nr:1, but also include Full Bremia resistance (BL:29-41) and HR: Nr:0, offering a comprehensive protection package.
“These new varieties bring meaningful advantages across the entire supply chain. For producers, they help reduce rejections from retailers and processors, lower the need for pesticide applications, and ultimately cut input costs. Chain partners benefit from improved product quality and longer shelf life, while consumers enjoy cleaner, healthier lettuce that meets the highest standards for freshness and safety,” the company said.
Paul Huijs, product manager for iceberg in Europe, commented: “With Nasonovia Nr:1 resistance, protection starts from within. Enza Zaden is among the first to offer iceberg varieties with a complete protection package, reducing reliance on chemical inputs and providing a built-in solution that give growers confidence that their crops can meet retailer and processors standards, even as tolerance for aphid presence tightens”.
The seed company said visitors to its annual Discovery Field Days will have the opportunity to explore their latest iceberg lettuce varieties featuring intermediate resistance (IR) to Nasonovia Nr:1.
“The field demonstrations will showcase how the new genetics perform under real growing conditions, offering a firsthand look at the protection package that includes IR Nr:1, HR Nr:0, and Full Bremia resistance,” Enza Zaden said. “It’s a chance for growers and partners to see the innovation in action and understand how these varieties can support cleaner, healthier, and more resilient crops.”
