Breeder develops new generation of peppers with greater resistance, quality, and post-harvest life
Semillas Fitó continues to expand and advance its pepper catalogue with the addition of new varieties specifically adapted to the growing conditions of Almería.
Gasol, Jalisco, and Lebron have been developed under local conditions to address current cultivation challenges, offering improved plant health, higher yields, and better performance at the destination, the breeder said.
Gasol stands is early option within the yellow California pepper segment; Jalisco, a red variety, is suitable for mid-to-late cycles; and Lebron, also yellow, is a late-cycle variety, completing a balanced offering that covers different planting times and market needs.
Ginés Gómez, pepper specialist at Semillas Fitó, commented: “The objective is clear: to provide farmers with more solutions. All the new varieties incorporate greater resistance and improved characteristics such as firmness and post-harvest performance, which other varieties lack”.
Because the varieties have been developed in Almería, this ensures better adaptation to the local production environment. According to Gómez, “this translates into better yields, higher quality, and a very high percentage of premium fruit”.
Against a backdrop of heightened disease pressure and a reduction in permitted pesticides, the incorporation of resistance has become a determining factor for successful cultivation. Fitó said its new varieties offer significant improvement in resistance to problems like powdery mildew, allowing for healthier plants throughout the growing cycle and reducing reliance on treatments.
“Today, resistance is fundamental. These varieties allow for a reduction in the use of pesticides, making them more sustainable and, at the same time, more profitable for the farmer,” Gómez noted.
In terms of post-harvest performance, Semillas Fitó claims both Jalisco and Lebron stand out for their ability to maintain the consistency and appearance of the fruit from the field to the final consumer, thanks to specific work in genetic improvement and laboratory validation.
“The fruit remains perfect for a long time on the plant and, when it reaches its destination, it retains the same quality it had when it left the field. This leap has been achieved thanks to the work done in post-harvest handling,” Gómez stated.
Semillas Fitó said it would continue working to expand its catalogue and meet the challenges of the sector, with research focused on new resistances, improved quality, and adaptation to changing growing conditions. “We continue researching to expand our catalogue, both in California and Lamuyo varieties, always maintaining our focus on quality and pest resistance,” Gómez concluded.
