AgroPages-Bayer CropScience introduces a new variety of Charentais melon-Agricultural news

A few days ago, the "Vegetable" division of Bayer CropScience presented the new early Charentais melon characterized by a very red flesh, called "SV9790MC" and marketed by Seminis®. The presentation took place in a two-day timeframe in Licata and Palma di Montechiaro, in Sicily.

The locations that were selected for this occasion provided the participants with the opportunity to taste and touch this new variety of melon. The presentation was held in the form of a small breakfast which made the working atmosphere more friendly and pleasant.

Salvatore Cascino (MD Representative), Ezio Cacciaguerra (Sales Promoter) and Giovanni Asta welcomed producers, traders and nurserymen. The latter, a local agent, who was visibly satisfied with both the performance of the product and the participation of professionals in the sector, thanked the guests who joined (both locals and from outside areas), together with his colleagues.

The field visits were also led by Vanes Montanari (Market Developer) and Ellen Jones Evans (Geneticist), who explained the characteristics of this promising melon.

"The SV9790MC is a melon that we launched this year on the market for a placement in transplants from the end of December to the end of January. In this way, we can obtain an early cycle that allows us to harvest in mid-April. This variety stands out for its good cross-linking, and the very intense red colour of the pulp. The brix degree is excellent, as well as the great uniformity of the fruits. The ease of its setting is also a highly appreciable aspect", states Montanari.

Video interview with Vanes Montanari and Ellen Jones Evans

This fruit differs from the main products on the market due to its very high adaptability to transplants (from the end of December to the beginning of January). This product is characterized by a good commercial size, which on average ranges from 1.1 kg to 1.4 kg, but which can even reach 1.8 kg.

SV9790MC is characterized by a tightly closed cavity that never widens, even if subjected to particular environmental stresses; the setting is always evident and the suture remains green for a long time.

The expert adds: "The quality is absolutely competitive with respect to the other products sold on the market. Our new melon can be picked "uncorked" (as they say here in Sicily) which means that around the petiole there is a crackling. This variety stands out for being a vigorous and very healthy plant, with a high tolerance to powdery mildew"

The excellent results of the variety have been supported by the main operators in the area who have worked actively since last winter with Giovanni Asta and the Sicilian colleagues, to whom the whole Seminis team dedicates the success of these two days.