TRADE AND MARKE T ING Hartigh introduced two new varieties: Forza and Amanda. Forza is a yellow-fleshed, early variety that can be processed both directly from the field and from storage, and Amanda is resistant against two types of nematodes: Rostochiensis (A) and Pallida (D and E). The variety is an early, yellow-fleshed potato and was developed by the German partner breeder SAKA. ‘These are varieties that have a wide-range resistance level, which helps growers in their fight against the nematodes in their land without having to make concessions to market requirements’, says Eising. Winner Michelle on its way to the top At Semagri, the Michelle variety is at the top of the potato pile with new varieties. ‘This year, we are putting Michelle in the limelight’, tells export manager Jeroen Kuin. ‘The variety always turns out to be the winner, which is why we give all the visitors to our presentation a bag to try out at home.’ Michelle was developed by the Dutch breeder Piet Smeenge. The variety is a real table potato. The tubers have a significantly-smooth skin, which also gives it its high resistance to scab. They normally have a size of 40-65 mm. According to Kuin, its gross yield is therefore almost the same as the net yield. The first steps on the commercial road have already been taken. A farm shop near Emmeloord has already enthusiastically taken the variety up in its product range. A little bit further on, in the Spanish early growing areas, the acreage is also becoming a success, according to Kuin. Jeroen Kuin: “The Michelle variety always turns out to be the winner.” TPC focuses on breeders TPC is focusing on its breeders this time. Over the trays with the potentially-new varieties hang the splendid photographs of well-known breeders who carry out their breeding work for this merchant house. ‘When you look at these photographs, you see a great many grey hairs’, signals managing director Gaby Stet. Most of these men will stop their breeding work in a number of years, which is why he is looking for young breeders so that TPC will be able to continue introducing the necessary new varieties in the future. On the Saturday morning after the presentations, TPC organised a special mini-symposium where Gaby Stet: “We take new varieties into the world immediately.” breeders and those interested in breeding were invited to exchange views about the future of the development of new varieties. The target group of new breeders that Stet envisions are seed potato growers of around fifty years of age, who have already handed over their businesses to their successors. ‘These people have professional knowledge and know what a potato should look like. And a very important aspect is that they often have the time to select plants in the field during the growing season. The reason why Stet prefers to work with breeders of non-protected varieties is that he knows they are competent and skilled. ‘The close collaboration that we have as a trading company with the breeders guarantees a quick market result. This is because we export potatoes from the fourth season onwards when the varieties leave the breeding programme to be sent to the trading company. We are not going to repeat the breeder’s work with trials in the village, but enter the big wide world straightaway. Moreover, the breeders receive 60 percent of our royalties if the variety is placed on the Varieties List. We at TPC will pay the costs of registration. You see, we only enter varieties for the Varieties List if we know that they are going to be successful in the market. In addition, the breeders won’t compete with our own breeding programme, because that is fully covered by the affiliated breeders. This way of working has meant that we have now been able to register two varieties for the Varieties List that are only in their seventh year of crossing. These are the Monte Carlo and a variety under number. Various directions at Danespo In the Poortershuys in Creil, Peter van Eerdt, together with managing director Steen Bitsch, attract attention to the Sarpo Mira. This variety is very popular with organic farmers because of its Phytophthora resistance. But to develop a variety only for organic cultivation is a risk, says Van Eerdt. By looking for various markets, the building has a strong foundation. Buyers in Morocco, Algeria and Pakistan are very happy with this variety. Not only because of its resistance, but also because of the high yields it produces in these countries. In addition, McCain is carrying out trials in organic cultivation. For this group of growers, a yield of 40 tons per hectare, which the variety often reaches, is a certainty they like. Given the positive experiences in the Netherlands, the processor is also taking the variety to Potato World 2009 • number 1 13 Pagina 12
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