Bayer is starting a new product line in its tomato portfolio with the development of its first Marmande, under the Seminis brand name. The launch of the variety, currently in a registration phase, will be carried out in May, culminating a four-year development process.
The sales expectations are very positive, the Head of Tomato development for Spain and Portugal, Javier Villegas explains. And the fact is that this tomato is attracting interest from the different links in the chain.
Agronomically speaking, this new Marmande stands out due to its great plasticity. It adapts very well to different conditions and crop managements, and it has a high setting capacity at high temperatures that allows extra-early transplants to be carried out (from the month of July onwards). Additionally, the setting and swelling of the fruit is progressive and continuous, with no halts in production when the seasons change. The variety may be planted from July to September, and subsequently, in January and February.
Its plant structure, open and with moderate hardiness, allows reductions in manpower and encourages greater health. And another point in its favour for the plant healthiness is the variety’s extensive package of resistances, which include the main soil diseases. “This allows plantations without grafting in certain circumstances,” Villegas points out.
On a commercial level, the quality of the fruit is awakening the interest of the supermarkets and main Wholesale Markets. “The stall holders at Mercabarna who have tried samples are showing great interest. Its visual appearance is very important, as it is very attractive and uniform, with very marked shoulders and a dark green colour that turns to a slightly chocolate brown and, when ripe, to red.” The wide versatility of the variety will allow it to be available 10 months of the year.
For consumers, the main advantages are its attractive appearance and flavour of traditional tomato with a crunchy texture.
The new Marmande from Seminis is joining its range of varieties for extra-early transplanting that allow farmers to be the first to reach the market, taking advantage of the high prices at the start of the campaign. Examples of this are the well-known varieties Laujar and Mazinger.
