There is currently a lack of options in the premium tier with resistance to ToBRFV, according to BASF’s customer marketing specialist
The tomato industry is on the hunt for a “standout” baby plum variety following the rapid spread of Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus, major breeder BASF Nunhems has revealed.
The Angelle variety from Syngenta was generally considered the gold standard in the baby plum segment, but the virus has forced growers and retailers to consider new rugose-resistant options, particularly for production in Morocco in the January to February window.
According to Naz Ahmed, customer marketing specialist at BASF, a number of international tomato breeders are competing to launch a premium variety that excels in flavour, yield and resistance.
BASF’s main offering, which sits in the standard rather than premium tier, is Purion, suitable for medium and high-tech production.
Syngenta has introduced several varieties with intermediate resistance to ToBRFV: Crystelle, Emyelle, Sicybelle, Prodelle and Adorelle, with additional varieties under development.
The breeder insists that these intermediate resistant varieties maintain taste and quality characteristics.
“As we continue to add new varieties to our lineup, we’re making sure they still taste great,” said Arthur van Marrewijk, Syngenta’s vegetable seeds product specialist.
“With the introductions of new resistant varieties we want to make sure that growers can continue to deliver what consumers expect.”
Among the other major tomato breeders, Sakata has its Saiko Star and Chocostar F1 varieties, while Rijk Zwaan has a Rugose Defense line which features the baby plum varieties Abrametto RZ, Laurencetto RZ and Calchetto RZ.
