Seed company Rijk Zwaan from the Netherlands introduced two Fusarium-resistant cucumber hybrids: Forami RZ F1 and 24-272 RZ. Hybrids are better suited to manufacturers in southern Europe (especially Spain and Greece) and South Africa.
“Fusarium causes the greatest problems among producers who grow cucumbers indoors in unheated greenhouses using mid-level technologies.
The fungus mainly affects cucumbers grown in autumn and winter, which is the main production period in southern Europe. Although temperatures are usually moderate, it can sometimes be cold and humid.
Fusarium thrives in such conditions and can cause significant crop losses. One solution may be to plant the plants on Fusarium-resistant stock, but this can lead to other problems, ”commented Marcel van Koppen, varietal coordinator at Rijk Zwaan.
In addition, both varieties have worked well in other aspects, such as yield and product quality.
“The biggest problem for Rijk Zwaan breeders is to choose hybrids that are not only sustainable, but also have other desirable characteristics, such as yield and quality. That's why the presentations of these hybrids were preceded by 4 years of testing, both in the company and on the farm crops, ”concluded Marcel Van Koppen.