Greek strawberries are in high demand throughout Europe during the winter season. However, importing planting material involves quite a few challenges. That is why Hortiland has started a trial with F1 Rowena, a seed-propagated variety developed by ABZ Seeds. "F1 hybrids make it possible to raise planting stock locally, free of diseases and pests. The inbred resistances bring fully sustainable cultivation within reach."
Several breeders have in recent years focused on developing strawberry varieties that can be raised from seed. This offers opportunities for clean propagation, stronger starting material and more uniform cultivation. They couldn't agree more at ABZ Seeds - which is why the company, whose name literally means 'AardBei uit Zaad', decided to specialize in this 30 years ago.
A field full of Rowena F1, and the harvest
Local
One of their varieties is Rowena F1. "Ideal for outdoor cultivation, developed in North-West Europe mainly for summer cultivation. This strong and healthy plant delivers high yields and produces full-flavored strawberries. The strawberries have an intense bright red color and, as it now turns out, they also withstand the Greek heat (+35C) well," says ABZ's Ilona Smith.
For Stan Fijnaut of horticultural supplier Hortiland, enough reason to take it up. The company exports a wide range of products to more than 20 countries, ranging from Europe to the Middle East, Africa, and the Far East. From their facility in Greece, the surrounding countries are supplied - including with various hybrid seeds, as they have had a special place in the range since its inception.
"Greek strawberries are highly sought after in the domestic market and are also widely exported to Eastern Europe," he says. "Traditional starting material has to be imported by frigo, which brings additional costs and logistical challenges. Hybrid strawberry seeds have inbred resistances, which can reduce the use of plant protection products, and of course are easier to handle, which offers significant advantages. F1 hybrids can make it possible to produce strawberries locally and sustainably."
Sowing and transplanting
More interest in hybrid seeds
But, then, of course, they have to turn out well. On the advice of ABZ, Rowena was tested under Greek climate and soil conditions. Hortiland already has experience with other hybrids from ABZ, such as Milan and Grandian. "But the move to hybrid seeds was limited by lack of knowledge and mindset of growers. Now that the area under strawberry cultivation has grown significantly, there is more interest in new cultivation techniques, such as hybrid seeds." The trial started in cooperation with a grower in the western Peloponnese, in the region around Varda and Amaliada. "The largest strawberry growing area in Greece," Stan clarifies.
The aim was to investigate whether the Rowena F1 hybrid seed can compete with the common starting materials that many growers use, but which often suffer from quality problems.
Transplant and the plants
Longer in production
That trial went extremely well, says Stan, which in turn led to a successful start with this variety. "During tests on the Peloponnese in southern Greece, the variety showed remarkable results in both yield and resistance to a variety of weather conditions," he says. Rowena maintains its productivity until the end of the season, making cultivation very profitable."
Moreover, Rowena stays in production longer. "Even in the autumn months (October, November), a period when other varieties stop producing. The price level in those months is favorable, which makes it interesting for growers who want to supply fresh strawberries almost all year round."
For more information:
ABZ Seeds
Tel: +31 (0)228 515280
[email protected]
www.abz-strawberry.com
Hortiland
Tel: +30-210.60.10.810
[email protected]
www.hortiland.nl