Blocky pepper growers everywhere reap the benefits of Syngenta Vegetable Seeds’ global expertise

Date:10-10-2024

Blocky or bell peppers are loved by consumers across the globe. But growing them – whether in greenhouses or open fields – presents localized challenges such as different environmental conditions and distinct shopper preferences.

″Syngenta Vegetable Seeds has created a vast global network of R&D, trialing and commercialization hubs across countries to develop advanced genetics in blocky pepper varieties,″ said Jose Antonio Chicón Reina, Senior Breeder. ″Alongside that, global and local teams listen to farmers across markets to understand their needs, allowing us to adapt our recently developed hybrids to meet requirements.″

Syngenta’s hybrids address challenges from disease resistance to environmental factors in locations as diverse as Spain, Mexico, Israel, China, India, Morocco, Türkiye, Jordan, Egypt, Vietnam and many more, added Reina. Based at the El Ejido research center in southeast Spain, he is responsible for the most important segment of the sweet pepper market, red California blocky peppers for passive greenhouse crops.

By using Syngenta’s global network and capabilities, blocky pepper growers in multiple countries have access to the latest hybrids designed with world-class expertise – yet tailored to thrive in local conditions. Syngenta takes the best of the best and shares it with growers in every corner of the world – even with smallholder farmers and in countries where blocky pepper production is not as prevalent.

Getting on Top of the Complexity of Breeding New Hybrids

Reina makes clear that all new hybrids are flexible, easy-to-grow and with high yield potential, and avoid elongated shape, inadequate color, or sensitivity to cracking. They can help reduce farm labor costs while meeting the needs of the rest of the supply chain, such as good post-harvest conservation, and consumer preferences for fewer chemical inputs. 

″Performance of any new hybrid varies depends on geography, planting date and type of crop management. To overcome this, we trial and evaluate new varieties in multiple countries and conditions,″ he added.  

″Breeding new varieties of blocky peppers with the most desirable genetics is a complex, cyclical process. There must be great coordination between trials, so that the seed arrives on time for sowing without delays.″

El Ejido, with one of the largest areas of greenhouses in the world, has two seasonal breeding programs - the Fall program for harvest in January-April, and the Spring program for harvest in August-October. At the site, experts work through selection, trialing and, if successful, produce a small seed sample. Further trials in Morocco, Kenya and France allow them to be evaluated for different geographies. Feedback from farmers is crucial.

″It is very important to have fluid communication to ensure we are going in the right direction.  I spend half my time in the field, visiting trials, evaluating lines or varieties, and checking hybrid tests in advanced stages with our commercial team. I also speak with farmers and technicians to understand their problems and wishes,″ said Reina.

Key Traits and Innovations are Available Across Markets

Collaboration between R&D and breeders is vital. Researchers discover genetics for new sources of resistance or characteristics that add value, such as peppers that are easy to harvest without tools or suitable for mechanical harvesting. Breeders then integrate the characteristics through many stages of crossbreeding, introgression into elite lines, and trialing.

Recently developed hybrids are made available to commercial teams across all markets. ″Although I am located in El Ejido, my varieties are evaluated in many other countries,″ said Reina. ″The evaluation is done by the local team and by myself when I visit.″

A good example is Reina’s hybrid with a very intense, dark green color, called Overgreen. ″If a market demands a dark green or a slow coloration from green to red, I explain the varieties available with those characteristics and we test the varieties locally,″ he added.

Supporting Blocky Pepper Growers Now and in the Future

Reina and the global teams understand that blocky pepper growers face many challenges, from diseases such as Powdery Mildew, to reducing costs and keeping up with evolving consumer tastes. 

With its global-to-local approach, Syngenta Vegetable Seeds is meeting these needs for growers from the northern to the southern hemisphere, from east to west, ensuring this valuable market can continue to thrive across all regions.